Ron Roop

Ronald Mack Roop, 75, of Caldwell died Thursday, November 17, 2016 at the Sumner County Hospital in Caldwell.

Ron was born to Ernest Morton Jr. and Ramona Roop on July 30, 1941 in a farmhouse north of Ford, Kans. He attended Ford public schools and graduated in 1959. He worked at his parents’ grocery store while growing up. He also farmed, ranched, and loved to play all sports while in school. His claim to fame was that he was a 1959 basketball team all-state basketball player.

He met the love of his life, Nancy Thompson, at a dance in Protection in 1963. They continued to date and were married August 14, 1965 in Coldwater. They had two sons, Mike and Aaron.

After their marriage they moved to Ford where he worked at the Ford Co-op, officiated high school basketball games, and joined the Army National Guard. This all changed when a good friend convinced him to go back to school. He then attended St. Mary’s of the Plains in Dodge City and graduated in 1970.

In the summer of 1970, they packed up and moved to Caldwell to pursue careers in education. Both Ron and Nancy took jobs teaching at Caldwell and Ron also became a coach. Their plan was to teach at Caldwell a few years and then move on to a better opportunity. They fell in love with Caldwell and continued to touch children’s lives until they retired in 1998. During his career, he completed his Master’s degree from Northwestern University. While at Caldwell, he was an all-star coach. In fact, he was named coach of the year in 1985 in boys’ Track and Field. He coached the 1978 girls’ Cross Country team and the 1985 boys’ Track team to state championships. He was always proud of his athletes and talked about them endlessly. He also had a gift of reaching students and encouraging them to go out for sports, especially track. It was common to see Caldwell pull up to a track meet with two full buses ready to compete. On Ron Roop’s teams everybody participated and was special.

While in Caldwell, Ron and Nancy became members of the United Methodist Church. He also was a 50 year member of the Masonic Fraternity of Dodge City.

Upon retirement, Ron and Nancy talked about traveling but their longest trips were frequent stops at Moscow and El Dorado to watch their grandchildren’s activities. Along with enjoying his family, he loved music, restoring vintage automobiles, sports, mowing, talking, and making his places look clean and neat.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Morton Jr. and Ramona Roop and nephews Travis Gracey and Garth Roop.

In August of 2015, Ron celebrated 50 years of marriage with his devoted wife Nancy. She survives of the home. He is also survived by his son Mike and wife Teddy of El Dorado, and son Aaron and wife Stacy of Caldwell. He was grandpa to five wonderful grandchildren – Taylor, Breck, Keeley, Phoebe, and Brodi. He is also survived by his sister Betty and Rodger Gracey, and daughter Marnie and family; brother Alan and Ellen Roop, and children Lori, Tobin and Garrett and families; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Ron will be remembered for his ornery disposition, his devotion to family and friends and his love of Caldwell and all children. He will truly be missed.

Memorials may be given to the Ron Roop Memorial Scholarship or the United Methodist Church of Caldwell.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, November 20, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Caldwell.

To share a memory or leave a condolence please visit www.schaeffermortuary.info

Arrangements by Schaeffer Mortuary, 6 N. Main, Caldwell.