Roop Family Establishes New Scholarship Fund to Benefit Raleigh County Students

Jack Jordan Roop and Mary Frances Roop

The Roop Family instilled the value of education, contributing to one’s community, and, most importantly, God’s calling to serve others in their three children. Therefore, the children of Jack and Mary Frances Roop have established the Jack Jordan Roop & Mary Frances Roop Family Scholarship Fund in memory of their beloved parents. Carl (Bill), Mary Jacqueline, and Jack (Gordie) desire the proceeds from this fund to be given to a deserving young person from Raleigh County to further their college education.

Jack Jordan Roop was born in 1933 in Kentucky to the late William Gordan Roop and Delsie Mae Artrip. Jack spent most of his early life in the WV coal camp of Tamroy, where his father worked as a coal miner. As a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1951, Jack knew school wasn’t his favorite pastime, but adding and subtracting numbers came naturally to him. This ability led him to successful business ventures such as Bluestone Motors, Acme Bonding, Merchants Adjustment, Rosa Realty, Egnor Monument, and a cattle company.
 
Jack began his political career in 1976 after winning his bid as a Raleigh County Commissioner. After serving his term until 1982, he moved to the WV House of Delegates, where he represented the 27th District for five consecutive terms until 1992. He retired until Gov. Gaston Caperton requested his service as the Executive Director of the WV Regional Jail Authority. Again, he retired, only to be requested to serve on the WV State Treasury Staff. He officially retired in 2020 at the age of 86.
 
Jack never forgot his community, city, county, and state. He proudly served his community and continually and humbly helped others. He loved people, never met a stranger, and had the ability to turn anything negative into a positive. He served on dozens of local boards and helped them tremendously through the years. He was Chair of the Board of Directors and founder of the Maxwell Hill Scholarship Fund. His pet projects were the Lillian James Center and the Raleigh County Commission on Aging.
 
Mary Frances Roop was born in 1937 in Ohio to the late Carl and Virginia Hodges. Mary was a graduate of Mount Hope High School and began her career at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, serving for 35 years. She later became employed with the WV State Senate and the Raleigh County Clerk's Office, where she would meet coworkers who became her extended family. Mary was named the 2022 WV Democrat of the Year and served as a Board Member of the Lillian James Learning Center.
 
Jack and Mary were faithful members of the Maxwell Hill Baptist Church. They were not ashamed of their faith and dedication to their Lord and Savior. This foundation guided them through relationships and life’s endeavors.
 
Anyone interested in donating to this fund may mail contributions with “Roop Family” in the memo to BAF, 1210 South Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801, or click the button below to donate online. If you are interested in starting a fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email [email protected].

Support the Roop Family Scholarship Fund