Loren Stroup

Loren H Stroup led a life of dedicated service to his country, his family and his God. He was the oldest of 7 children raised on a farm in Michigan. His love of family and service were shaped at an early age as he helped his parents run a farm and raise a large family.

In 1961 Loren joined the army and served two tours in Vietnam as a medic earning a Bronze Star for his heroic actions there. Sergeant Major Stroup served 30 years before retiring as the Fort Hood Garrison Sergeant Major. He was awarded The Legion of Merit, the nation’s highest peacetime award.

He was a loving father and actively involved in every extracurricular activity his children participated in. His lead-by-example attitude was inspiring and infectious to his children and his friends.

The Church was his happy place. Whether it was a Sunday school lesson, a church reading, being the emcee at a Sweet Hearts Banquet or just visiting with other members after a service, Loren loved an audience! And he loved having a mission! He was always involved in a significant way and loved the social side of service.

After retiring from the Army, he continued to be very active in Grace Lutheran Church as the Parish Administrator. He taught Youth Groups, spearheaded Men's Club BB-Qs and served on CEF and Thrivent Boards. Loren Stroup did many things very well & could have gone into several lines of work & play after retirement from the Army. He loved golf, riding bikes, & exploring the Highways & byways of The Texas Hill Country in his PT Cruiser. He also continued to be very active in Grace Lutheran Church as Parish Administrator, taught Youth Groups, spearheaded Men's Club BB-Qs, served on CEF & Thrivent Boards and many more and he & his wife, Suanne, of 27 years established the Grace Widowed Support Group, a vital Church Ministry. He also served on the YMCA Board & was a Boy Scout & Special Olympics volunteer.

He believed in life lived fully, thoroughly with care for others and in his heart & mind, he thought his best talent was TEACHING--high school classes, Bible Study classes and he used "Things That happen to us in Life" as teaching tools and he knew no matter the age group, he could get the message across.

SGM Stroup, always an intense competitor, was a master horse shoe thrower and bowler. He enjoyed Volksmarches, cycling, baseball and just about any sport. He was happy winning or losing, as long as he was around people. His lifetime hobby was collecting trains and railroad memorabilia. His collection filled an entire room and dates back to 1939. He continued to add to his Lionel Railroad collection.

He loved his blended family and was especially proud of his two new great-grandsons! He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Suanne, four children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Loren impacted the lives of thousands of people from various walks of life. He will be sorely missed!

SGM Loren H Stroup will be buried in his uniform at The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 9:00 am on Friday May 20. There will be a service at 11:00 am afterwards at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen and a Repast at 1:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com for the Stroup family.