Louie Stroup

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Charles “Louie” Louis Stroup, Jr., 83, of Pittsburg, KS passed away on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at Via Christi Village, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

 He was born March 16, 1935 in Pittsburg, the son of Charles Louis Sr. and Bernice (Tonnies) Stroup. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1953, serving as class president, and participating in football, basketball and track. He went on to compete at the University of Kansas on a track scholarship, with his twin brother, Larry, where he was a member of the track and field team from 1953-57. During his time there, he helped Kansas to eight total Big Seven team championships, winning all four indoor and outdoor titles during his career. Along with the eight team conference championships, Louie was a three-time Big Seven champion as a member of the mile relay team. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and graduated in 1957 with a degree in Journalism.

In 1957, he joined the U.S. Air Force where he served as both a navigator and base information officer. He was honorably discharged in 1960 with the rank of Captain. 

 

On July 20, 1963, he was united in marriage to Peggy S. Martin in Parsons, KS. They started their life together in Topeka, KS where he was editor of Midwest Construction Magazine, and later moved to McPherson, KS in 1965. This union was blessed with two children, Brad and Kim. On June 10, 1995, he married Corene (White) Kreissler of Pittsburg.

In McPherson, Louie worked as the Executive Director for Kansas Municipal Utilities, Inc. from 1969 until he retired in 2000. He served as the National Director of the American Public Gas Association (1971-1977), a National Director of the American Public Power Association (1972-73 and 1979-80) and Director of Mid-West Electric Consumers Association for over 30 years. He spent many days as a lobbyist in Topeka and Washington, DC. Many dear friends were made through his work endeavors. After his retirement, he returned to Pittsburg where he was President of Pittsburg Beautiful and also enjoyed delivering for Meals on Wheels.

Louie was involved in several civic organizations, committees, and clubs in McPherson such as the the First United Methodist Church, trustee of the Institute of Logopedics in Wichita and President of McPherson County Board of Logopedics in McPherson, member of the Development Committee of the KU Alumni Association, and member of advisory committee of the Lineman School at Manhattan, member of McPherson Country Club, NRA, and Ducks Unlimited. He loved to hunt, fish, read westerns, cheer on his Kansas Jayhawks, and attend high school sporting events, especially the ones where his kids, grandchildren and step-grandchildren were competing. He was active with KU’s “K” Club and made a point to enjoy the Kansas Relays each year.

Louie traveled frequently for work and took the family to the annual APPA conventions and Black Hills meetings, allowing the family to have incredible experiences across the country and Canada. Louie loved the many deer hunting trips to Colorado and Wyoming, and later the bird-watching trips across Kansas. Despite his love of the outdoors, he never did like to camp!

We will all miss his contagious smile, wonderful sense of humor and way that he made everyone feel loved and at ease. He had a quick wit and loved to crack a joke with his dry sense of humor. Even as his health declined, he was able to make others smile and never missed an opportunity to throw in a funny comment!

Survivors include his wife, Corene Stroup of the home; son, Brad Stroup (Angie) of Lenexa, KS, grandchildren Carly and Sara Stroup; daughter, Kim Wells (Brad) of Lenexa, KS, grandchildren, Kristin and Josh Wells; twin brother, Lawrence “Larry” Stroup (Lorna) of Overland Park, KS. Two nieces, Allison Stroup Long (Jeff) of Lawrence, KS and Kirsten Stroup Lowe (Mike) of Mission Hills, KS and their families. Two step-daughters, Mindy Kuplen (Steve) of Mulberry, KS, step-grandchildren, Chet and Molly Kuplen, and Marianne O’Nelio (Gary) of Pittsburg, KS, step-grandchildren, John and Alex O’Nelio; two step-sons, Jon Kreissler of Pittsburg, KS and Tom Kreissler (Cara) of Helena, Montana, step-grandchildren Will and Emory Kreissler; He was preceded in death by his parents.








A Memorial service is set for 1:30 p.m., Thursday (Jan. 31) at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Mark Chambers officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Park Cemetery, Pittsburg. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, prior to the funeral at the First United Methodist Church. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Brenner Mortuary to sign the register. The family suggests memorial donations to KU Endowment to benefit KU Track and Field in Louie’s memory or S.E.K. Humane Society. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com.