John D. Waldroup

JOHN D. WALDROUP
July 1, 1926 ~ November 17, 2006

CARMEL – John D. Waldroup, 80, passed away November 17, 2006, surrounded by his family. Mr. Waldroup was born July 1, 1926 in Hayesville, North Carolina, where he grew up on a farm. In 1945, he graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill as president of his class. Upon passing his CPA exam, he worked for Price Waterhouse in Manila, in the Philippines, where he married his former wife, May Waldroup. In 1962, he moved the family to Japan, opening an office for Arthur Young and Co., as a partner of the firm. He traveled extensively in his career and also established an office in Seoul, Korea.
   After 20 years of living abroad, Mr. Waldroup returned to the United States and resided in the Carmel area for more than 36 years. During this time he embarked on a new career as the developer and owner of the Barnyard Shopping Center in Carmel, which he managed until 1993, when his son Marc took over until the shopping center was sold in 2004.   Although Mr. Waldroup spent most of his life away from North Carolina, he still loved the state where he was born. Over the years he purchased land near Durham and Chapel Hill and in the early 1990's his first son, Michael, started to work on commercially developing this property. In 2004, the first phase of development was completed.   Mr. Waldroup loved the outdoors and he was an enthusiastic tennis player. He also enjoyed reading, and listening to classical music and hymns. His family was very important to him and he was especially proud of his six granddaughters.
   Mr. Waldroup will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He will be remembered for his generosity, positive attitude, great affinity for laughter, his never ending pursuit of success and self improvement. Most of all, his true zest for life will remain an inspiration to us all.
   Mr. Waldroup is survived by his beloved life partner, Gerd Jensen; his former wife, May Waldroup of Carmel; his children, Michael Waldroup of Durham, North Carolina, Kristin Ramsden of Sebastopol, California, and Marc Waldroup of Salinas, California. He also leaves behind his sister, Kate Peyton of Houston, Texas; daughters-in-law, Morgan Waldroup, Roberta Waldroup, and six granddaughters, Whitney and Robin Waldroup, Thalia, Marika and Kaelyn Ramsden, and Samantha Waldroup.
   A private funeral has been held. A memorial service will take place on December 30, 2006, at the Community Church of the Monterey Peninsula.
   In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Asthma Foundation or the Alzheimer's Association.