Hollis Newton Cropper
Graveside services for Hollis Newton Cropper, 92, Springfield, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 22, 2013, at Sweeton Pond Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Cropper died Saturday, August 17, 2013, at Centennial Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
He was born August 20, 1920, at Dora, Missouri, to John T. Cropper and Bess Fern (Sweeton) Cropper. Mr. Cropper was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy. He was married to Grace Gwendolyn Atkins, who preceded him in death on January 29, 2007. Before his retirement, Mr. Cropper had been a special agent for Frisco Railroad for thirty-one years. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren. Mr. Cropper was a Master Mason, a 33 degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner; he had served his Shrine Temple as Potentate.
He is survived by his son, Stephen Cropper, wife, Angel, Nashville, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Stephen, Ashley, Andrea and Cameron; two sisters, Velva Kelley and Martha Jane Uhlmann; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, wife, and two sisters, Mary Lou Scoggins and Virginia Kutter, precede him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Sweeton Pond Cemetery, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Chris & Bob Haik
August 19, 2013 @ 9:54 pm
Dear Steve and Angel,
Bob and I have been neighbors of your parents for 40+ years and they were just like Mom and Dad to us. They are the sweetest, kindest, most energetic couple one could ever have met. When our children (Tracie and Rob) were growing up Hollis and Grace used to call and say they needed help turning the ice cream mixer and could they come up to help? Hollis and I were talking just the other day about how Rob would call and ask if he (Hollis) had time to take him to the golf course for practice. Rob remembers that when he was riding his bicycle he had a bad wreck and Hollis came to pick him up and carried him home so he could get cleaned up.
I found some of the special cards that were sent to your Mother by an artist friend who used to send them Maple syrup. I contacted the lady by email and she had moved to New Mexico with her family, but we certainly shared wonderful memories about your beloved Mother and Father. We are so very sad to hear of your great loss and I can see them both together again. They will be greatly missed, but we must keep their memories and stories alive with our children. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Chris and Bob Haik
Iva M Atkins
August 20, 2013 @ 9:49 am
Steve, Angel and children, I was so saddened when Cloteel told me of Hollis’ passing. When I first met your parents after I married Doug I felt like they were a very special couple, both gentle and kind in nature. It was always a joy on the rare opportunities when we were able to visit with them. I never heard them say anything unkind about anyone. I can only hope and pray that we all learned something from them and can live a long life surrounded by such loving family members. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time and always. I am sorry to say that we won’t be able to attend the services. Your Dad always had special talks with Seth when we visited and always slipped him a little money and told him to put it in his wallet and save it so he would always have some set aside. Take care of yourselves and you are always welcome out at the old home place.
Love,
Doug, Iva and Seth Atkins
Carla and Paul McCombs
August 21, 2013 @ 10:06 am
Steve and Angel,
We have many good memories of Hollis and are so sorry about his passing. We love you.
Warren and Cynthia Matlock
August 22, 2013 @ 6:48 am
Steve and Family
Your father and mother were neighbors for many yours. They were of the Great Generation and were examples of what this nation is today. Hard work, positive attitude and great neighbors and friends. Please know that we send to you with our minds and heart felt souls,
prayers and thoughts with the passing of a great man. God Bless to all of the Cropper families.
Betty Ammerman
August 22, 2013 @ 10:46 am
Steve and Family,
I am sorry to read that Hollis passed away. Hollis and my husband Claud were friends and co workers with the Frisco in the 60s and 70s. I believe Hollis is the last of the group of special agents and freight claims dept. They told about the time Claud had to take Hollis to the hospital in Enid because of gall stones. This was during the time when they went to Oklahoma for a month for the wheat harvest. We kept in touch at Christmas time until this last year. I happened to see him at Goodyear a few years ago. Even tho’ we know it is time it is hard to give them up. Many people will miss Hollis. With deepest sympathy.
Tim Medlin
August 22, 2013 @ 1:59 pm
Steve and Family. Our prayers are with you and your family during this very hard time. You probably don’t remember but there was a time we hung out at Barry and Martha’s shop in Springfield. It was later that I worked with Hollis at Frisco and made the connection. He was one of the most honorable men I ever met and a true gentleman. He was extremely proud of you. Much later I joined the Police Department and he would stop by and we would talk and he would “catch me up with what was happening at the railroad”. I will always remember those talks. He will forever be in my memories. He was a great man. My God Bless you and your family.
Janet Thomas
August 23, 2013 @ 8:55 pm
Steve and Family,
I read of the passing of Hollis in the Springfield paper and wanted to send my condolences.
You don’t know me but my Grandmother was Pearl (Montgomery) Washeck and she was half sister to your Grandfather Sam Atkins. My mother was Laura (Washeck) Preble and she was a first cousin to your mother Grace. I used to run into Grace at the Ben Franklin in the Parkcrest shopping center and we would visit. After Grace died I called and talked to Hollis.
My mother died 2 yrs. ago.
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one.
Tom Morris
August 29, 2013 @ 10:28 am
Steve,
You don’t know me, but I knew your father when he was Commander of the Legion of Honor, a unit within the Shrine. He did a great Job leading the Legion of Honor. I am a Blues fan and was aware of you, but didn’t put the two together. I am sure you are already aware of it, but he was very proud of you! Tom Morris Administrator of ABOU BEN ADHEM SHRINERS in Springfield,Mo.