Gilbert Stroop

BELT - Gilbert "Gib" stroop, 90, of Belt, a Navy veteran, former barber and rancher, died of pneumonia Tuesday, March 22, at a Great Falls care facility.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory. Graveside services are 11 a.m. Saturday, with burial of ashes of Gilbert and his wife Dorothy, who passed away October 1999, at Highland Cemetery with military and Masonic rites. Following the burial, a potluck reception will be held at First Church of the Nazarene in Great Falls.
Gilbert was born Feb. 28, 1921, on the family ranch near Monarch. He attended Swan grade school in Brigeman Coulee, graduated from the eighth grade and attended one year of high school.
In 1942, Gilbert went in the Navy. While on leave in 1943 he married Dorothy Tura. He and Dorothy celebrated 57 years of marriage, and they were blessed with two sons, Richard of Great Falls and Russell of Sidney. A baby girl and baby boy died at birth.
After being discharged from the Navy, Gilbert went to Barber School in Spokane. In 1946, he and Dorothy moved to Great Falls, where he worked as a barber for 10 years. In 1950, he bought in on the ranch with his father-in-law John Tura, where Gilbert farmed for the next 45 years.
In addition to his sons, Gilbert is survived by his brother Hughie (Judy) Stroop; two grandsons, Brian and Levi; a granddaughter, Brandy; three great-granddaughters Bailey, Sheridan and Ember, sisters-in-law, Bertha, Alvina, Ruth, Judy and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was a lifetime member of the National Rifleman and belonged to the Masonic Order of Blue Lodge, York Rite and Shriners. He was inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2003.
He was preceded in death by his mother Clara; father Gilbert; sisters Myrtle Dennison and Florence Purdom; and his brothers Robert, Charles, Harley and Jack.
Condolences may be posted online at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.