Biography:

George Franklin Stroope, 95, of Little Rock, died February 21, 2023. Preceding him in death was his loving wife of 58 years, Martha Elizabeth Lucas Stroope; his son George and his adoptive parents WD and Connie Stroope. He is also predeceased by 20 siblings and half-siblings.

Raised in Wynne, AR by his half-brother and wife after being orphaned at an early age, Frank was an All-American boy who excelled in both academics and athletics. He enlisted in the US Navy at age 18 just after WWII, serving in China and Japan. He attended Hendrix College on the GI bill and graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in 1954. After graduation, he married his wife Martha and moved to Atlanta, GA, where he completed his internship at Emory University Hospital. Returning to Arkansas in 1955, he completed his residency in pediatrics serving as Chief Resident. He and his good friend, Dr. Max Thorn, established the first pediatric clinic in North Little Rock, AR where he treated thousands of patients and never turned away a child for being unable to pay. He served on countless medical boards and committees over the course of his career, including a stint as Chief of Staff at Baptist Memorial Hospital in North Little Rock. He also served as a Captain in the US Army Reserves during the Cuban Missile Crisis. 

As a testament to his true character, he and his wife Martha traveled to Mexico several times bringing much-needed vaccines to underserved rural areas in Michoacan and spending countless hours providing life-saving inoculations to local children. They also sponsored local women in their home as they trained to become nurses in order to return to Michoacan to help their local communities. It was during these trips with local priests that they developed a deep love of the Catholic faith and eventually converted.

Truly a renaissance man, Frank was an accomplished pianist; a master gardener tending his vegetable garden and orchids until age 92; an avid bird watcher and environmentalist; and an experienced dog breeder and judge, winning Best in Show with his prized American Staffordshire terrier at the National Dog Show. He was a voracious reader, learned needlepoint and woodcarving and had an unbounded curiosity. He could converse intelligently on any subject and had a sharp sarcastic wit. 

Frank and his wife raised 5 children, all of whom graduated from college, and he would have said this was his greatest accomplishment. Two of his children followed in his footsteps graduating from medical school. 

He is survived by his 5 children: Karen (James) East of San Antonio, TX; Dr. Judith (Kevin) Forte of Fort Worth, TX; Suzanne (Paul) Siemik of Flower Mound, TX; Dr. Henry (Nicole) Stroope of Bartlesville, OK; and Jane (Greg) Hohn of Little Rock, AR. He is also survived by his 9 grandchildren: Dr. Julia Hohn of Charleston, SC; David Hohn of Little Rock; Andrew Hohn of Houston, TX; Matthew Forte of Dallas, TX; Catherine Forte of Fort Worth, TX; Alison East of San Antonio, TX; Dr. Andrea East of Austin, TX; Stella Stroope and Emily Stroope both of Bartlesville, OK. 

The family will receive visitors from 5:30-7:00 pm on Tuesday, February 28 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 617 Louisiana Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201, followed by the Rosary at 7:00 pm with Father Taryn Whittington. A funeral Mass will be held at the Cathedral of St. Andrew on Wednesday, March 1 at 1:00 pm. Bishop Francis Malone of Shreveport, Louisiana will be the celebrant. 

The family would like to express our deepest and sincere gratitude for those who helped care for our father, including the staff at Inspired Living in Lewisville, TX, but most especially his caring physicians Dr. Gail McCracken and Dr. Tena Murphy. They would also like to extend a special thanks to his faithful caregiver over the last 8 months, Philip Dennis. 

Memorials may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital at 1 Children’s Way, Little Rock, AR 72202 or to the Humane Society of Pulaski County at 14600 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, AR, 72210. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 West Markham Street. Little Rock, AR