Roll Call Tribute

John Wallis Roop 

December 20, 1928 - December 22, 2024 

John Wallis Roop, 96, of Crockett, Texas, was called home on December 22, 2024 at the Enchanted Pines Assisted Living. John was born December 20, 1928 in Dallas, TX to John Zacharius Roop and Elizabeth Gertrude Roberts Roop. He was raised in Dallas, TX and was a member of Munger United Methodist Church.

John served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his military service, he attended Texas A&M University where he learned to WHOOP, Gig ‘em, and BTHO. He so loved his Aggies, that he taught his children how to sing the “Aggie War Hymn” almost before they could walk.

In 1956, John married the love of his life, Norma Talley Clancy. They were married for 51 years before her death.

After college, John worked as a drafting engineer all over the country on projects such as designing the missile sites during the Cuban Missile crisis. He did a lot of work designing oil refineries on the gulf coast and even spent a year on St. Croix and a year on St. Lucia working for Amerada Hess.

John could do anything he wanted to do. He always had a car project going rebuilding the engine. He raised chickens at one point, going out to the coop and and having a “talk with the ladies” when they weren’t laying eggs like they should. That was a sight to see!

He raised homing pigeons in his youth. Wanting to teach his children about pigeons, he built a huge pigeon coop in the middle of Tyler Texas!! We’re still not sure if that was even legal.

John knew all about rocks, tumbling and polishing them. Some of them were really beautiful.

In 1991, John and his wife Norma, purchased 10 acres in Crockett, TX to build upon. He hammered every nail that went into that house and was so very proud of that. When he was finished (not necessarily the house), they moved in and lived there until Norma’s death in 2007.

Off and on, throughout his life, John owned a motorcycle. He loved to hop on and ride all over Texas and beyond, several times riding to California to see his beloved sister, Jo.

John was preceded in death by his wife Norma, son John Clancy Roop, daughter Vicki Jo French Crump, parents, John and Elizabeth (Bess) Roop, and his only sibling, sister Bettye Jo Roop Furby.

He is survived by his daughter Dallas Fitzgerald and husband Bobby of Tyler, TX; daughter Shirley Ann French Griswold of Florida; nephew John Scott Furby of California; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Catherine Cochran for her unwavering devotion to her residents at Enchanted Pines Assisted Living, and Luminos Hospice for their gentle and compassionate care of our loved one, Mr. Roop, during his final days.

There will be a Memorial Service in January 2025 in Crockett, TX.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be to Luminos Hospice, 315 South 5th St., Crockett, TX 75835

Online condolences may be left at www.callawayallee.com 

CALLAWAY-ALLEE FUNERAL HOME