Gene Campbell Roop

March 4, 1918 - July 12, 2013 Biography Gene Campbell Roop, Sallisaw, OK Entered the presence of his Lord July 12, 2003 Gene Campbell Roop was born March 4, 1918 in Tulsa, OK, the son of Eugene L. and Irene Campbell Roop. Preceding him in death are his parents, wife Leah Rush Roop, brothers Bill and Bobby Roop, all of Tulsa; daughter Martha Bea Johnson of Meers, OK, and granddaughter Holly Beth Johnson of Lawton, OK. Surviving are son Dr. James S. Wells and wife Suzi of Sallisaw; grandson Matthew Wells, his wife Jen, great-grandchildren Jadyn, Ella, and Wyatt of Hyde Park, UT; granddaughter Mandy Beth Niven, her husband David, great-grandchildren Jacob, Zack and Emma Beth of Jackson, TN; grandson Luke Wells, his wife Coby, great-grandchildren Walker and Kinsley Grace, of North Logan, UT; granddaughter Jordan Heersink, her husband Nate and great-grandson Wells of McKinney, TX; son-in law Sam Johnson of Norman, OK; grandson Logan Johnson, his wife Kim, great-grandchildren Taylor Beth, Chase and Cole all of Norman, OK; grandson Gregg Johnson of Altus, OK; grandson Clay Johnson of Abilene, TX; step-daughter Kay Brown and her late husband Billie Brown, and their sons Jeff and Paul Brown all of Broken Arrow, OK. Gene Roop was an athlete, a Navy veteran, an avid golfer, a “scrabble scholar,” a gracious gentleman to all who knew him, and a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His greatest joys centered around visiting with, or hearing about the many activities and accomplishments of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His love for his family was also manifested in his daily prayers for them. As a boy growing up in Tulsa, OK, Gene attended Woodrow Wilson Jr. High and Tulsa Central High School, the only high school in Tulsa at the time. The highlight of his senior year (1936) was winning the State Championship in basketball, under Coach Grady Skillern. He earned All-State honors in basketball, was a member of All 1930‘s Decade Basketball Team, and was 2-time State Tennis Doubles Champion with tennis partner, M.C. Hopper. Upon graduation from high school, Gene attended the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and Phi Eta Sigma. As a member of the OU Tennis Team, Gene was 2-time Big Six Tennis Doubles Champion with tennis partner, Bill Martin of Blackwell. As a member of the basketball team, he played on OU’s first Final Four team in 1939. He told many stories of their games, recounting every detail. One of his favorites was their train trip to San Francisco to play in the Final Four. There wasn’t enough money to bring along the manager, so the team decided to hide him in the bathroom in the train, so he could make the trip, too. That’s what they did, and no one was the wiser. One of his favorite stories was what he called his “greatest honor.” While at the Tulsa Airport in the early ’50’s, the then Oklahoma A&M Basketball Coach Hank Iba came over to him and said, “Aren’t you Gene Roop?” He said, “Yes, Sir.” Mr. Iba said, “I still remember you hitting 6 of 6 free throws to upset the Aggies in Stillwater, and I still don’t like it! You were a clutch player.” Gene served in the Pacific as an Ensign comptroller in the Navy during WWII. He later became Head Golf Pro at Mohawk Golf Course in Tulsa, where he retired after 25 years. In his many rounds of golf during retirement, he shot his age at 89 and had 8 holes-in-one. He and his wife Leah enjoyed traveling in Europe, Canada, and throughout the United States, and spent many winters in their beloved Hawaii. They enjoyed playing scrabble together, and Gene eventually joined the Tulsa Scrabble Club. He was in awe of the English language, and loved taking 7 letters and making them in to words. As any good scrabbler, he had all the 2 and 3-letter words memorized. Even at the age of 95, Gene’s day was full. He played several games of scrabble, while keeping up with golf, basketball, football, and tennis on TV. He could recount every swing, shot, or pass in detail. He could also recall in detail his experiences in sports as a young man. Gene Campbell Roop lived a full, rich life right up until the time when the Lord called him Home. What a blessing his life has been to all his many friends and family! A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday July 17, 2013 at 10:00 Am at Immanuel Baptist Church 1101 N Wheeler Ave Sallisaw, OK 74955 In Lieu of Flowers donations can be made to Immanuel Baptist Church. Services Memorial Service July 17, 2013 at 10:00 am Immanuel Baptist Church Facts Born: March 4, 1918 Place of Birth: Tulsa, OK Death: July 12, 2013 Place of Death: Sallisaw, OK Occupation: Mohawk Golf Professional

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Gene Campbell Roop

July 15, 2013