Donald E. Stroup

Donald Eugene Stroup, 79, passed away at his home on October 9th in Fairview, NC. Don was born in Kings Mountain, NC on November 8, 1933 and was the son of the late Johnny and Florence Stroup. Don proudly served in the US Air Force after graduation from high school. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was stationed in Denver, Colorado at the time of his honorable discharge in 1955. The majority of Don's career was spent as owner and operator of the building supply store that he opened in Kings Mountain, NC. He worked there until his retirement in 1988. Don had many friends and was loved for his outgoing and charismatic personality. He will be missed by all that knew him. Don is survived by his four children; sons, Jimmy Stroup of Belmont, NC and Vess Stroup of Gastonia, NC; daughters, Vicki Stroup Welch of Gastonia, NC and Kelly Stroup Banner and her husband, Stan Banner of Belmont, NC. He is also survived by two grandchildren and one great grandchild. Services will be at 12:00 noon Tuesday at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery with the Buncombe County Veterans Council and the NC National Guard providing military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association in memory of Don's lifelong struggle with the disease.