Ray B. Stroup

Lafayette - Memorial Services will be held Friday, May 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church in Lafayette for Ray B. Stroup, age 96, who died Saturday, May 11, 2013 in Lafayette.

Ray Bernard Stroup was born on January 13, 1917 in a rural area of Rains County near Emory, Texas to Lonidas Leon Stroup and Clara Etta Durham. His family moved to Dallas, Texas in 1923 where he graduated from North Dallas High School and attended Jefferson University School of Law. His first job after high school was with the United States Postal Service. He married his childhood sweetheart, Evelyn Kennedy Smith, in 1938. They had three children - Dorothy Ann Stroup, Ray Bernard Stroup, Jr. and Margaret Lynn Stroup.

He was a member of the Texas National Guard, 36th Infantry Division, and went on active duty as a Second Lieutenant in November 1940. He volunteered for overseas duty in 1944 and served as an Infantry Company Commander in Italy with the 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division. He earned the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service. He served in the Korean Conflict in 1953-54. He participated in the Army "Bootstrap Program" and graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Omaha in Nebraska. Later, he earned a MBA from Georgia State University. He was an excellent teacher and served as an instructor at the Infantry School, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army Special Warfare School. He retired from active duty in 1972 after 32 years of active duty with the rank of Colonel.

After retirement from the military, he was employed in the financial industry. He served as a banking officer at Lakewood Bank and Trust, now Wells Fargo. He was also employed as the manager for the Times Herald Credit Union in Dallas. He continued his education in retirement and took additional graduate courses at North Texas University. In 1981, he retired from the workforce.

He and his wife Evelyn enjoyed their retired life, friends and home in Dallas. They were both active in Lakewood United Methodist Church. They loved to travel. Caribbean cruises, Shriner golf outings and a trip to Scotland to visit relatives were highlights. Ray moved to Lafayette with his wife in 2000 from their long-time residence in Dallas, Texas to be close to family.

Ray was a Master Mason, a member of the Dallas Consistory of Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, and a Shriner. Both he and his wife were volunteers and supporters of the Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children and Shrine Burn Centers. He enjoyed all sports. Ray was an avid golfer, a serious bridge player and enjoyed watching his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys (especially during the Tom Landry era).

Col. Stroup is survived by his daughter, Margaret and her husband Dan Moriarty; son, Ray, Jr., and his wife Pam; grandson, Andrew Stroup; granddaughters, Sally Horn and Wendy McElroy; and three great-grandchildren, Damian and Andi Horn and Thomas McElroy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Evelyn, his oldest child Dorothy, son-in-law Michael D. McElroy Sr., and grandson Michael D. McElroy Jr.

Visitation will be observed at Grace Presbyterian Church in Lafayette on Friday, May 17, 2013 immediately following the service.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Morris Hoffpauir, Nurse Iggy Landry, barber Russ Courville, Hospice of Acadiana and his caregivers Rosella Borel, Alimae Borel, Linda Young and Barbara and April Mitchell.

Online obituary and guestbook may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com.

Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery of Lafayette, 1010 Pandora St., (337) 981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.