H. Douglas Stroop

Harry Douglas Stroop, 77, of Stuarts Draft, beloved father, grandfather, and Gotty went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at his residence in the loving arms of his cherished son, Scott. He was born in Harrisonburg on July 24, 1941, a son of the late Floyd William and Geraldine Virginia (Keller) Stroop. Doug proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as a radio operator during the Vietnam War conflict. He retired as a maintenance mechanic from E.I. DuPont in 1993 with 32 years of service. Following retirement, he stayed on the go working as a truck driving instructor at Blue Ridge Community College, drove for Penske & Ryder Trucking, and Lowes in Waynesboro. Doug also spent 20+ years working with the Gore family at Eastside Speedway. Doug, who never met a stranger and was blessed with the "gift of gab" thoroughly enjoyed his position as the race announcer for both the round track and drag strip races. Doug was a member of Fishersville Baptist Church and the Stuarts Draft VFW Post 9339. In his spare time, Doug was a diehard #3 Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and NASCAR fan, he enjoyed tapping his foot to bluegrass music, watching football, fishing, and visiting with family and friends. Doug's greatest joy was spending time with his children and attending his three granddaughters' sports and extracurricular activities. Seven years ago, Doug was truly blessed to reunite with his first true love, Judy Beck. In addition to his parents, Doug was preceded in death by his sister, Karen Lyons. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Valerie (Stroop) Deacon and husband, Lee of Staunton and Scott Douglas Stroop and wife, Kimberly of Winchester; brother, Gary N. Stroop and wife, Mary of Deerfield; granddaughters, Leah Brooke Deacon, Autumn Elizabeth and Kyra Autumn Stroop; nephews, Brian Stroop, Billy and Frankie Dotson; niece, Cindy Dotson; special friend and love of his life, Judy Beck; as well as many extended family and friends. A celebration of life service will be conducted at 3 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes with Rev. Charles Bates officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 pm until 3 pm prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Doug’s memory to Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center, 1001 Mt Torrey Rd, Lyndhurst, VA 22952, the Stuarts Draft VFW Post 9339, 3251 Stuarts Draft Hwy, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477, and/or the COPD Foundation,3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Miami, Florida 33134. The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to all of the first responders and neighbors who came out to help Doug and his family. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories online with the family by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com.