O.J. Sloop, Friend and Mentor to many - will be missed
O.J. Sloop, 88, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010, in Franklin. He was a resident of Bargersville.He is survived by his wife, Lorene (Baker) Sloop.Services are pending at Flinn & Maguire Funeral Home in Franklin. Information: 736-5528
Will have more information as it comes out.
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7 comments:
He was a great guy, he and his lovely wife lived right across the street from me in B'ville and they were great neighbors as well.
May he rest in peace.
Lover of life,
Lover of education,
Carrier of laughter...
Teacher, counselor, FRIEND.
O.J., we grieve because our lives are lessened with your passing, but we know many in heaven are now smiling.
Give Vandy a HUGE hug, and prepare a place for all of us in the future.
You made us all better.
Ditto, GB.
I sure will miss OJ.
He was "The Greatest" and a member of The Greatest Generation.
We all learned much more than math from him.
Bo
I too remember many GOOD THINGS about him. He was one of the good ones. H of H&C
Update for O.J.
Rev. Steven Sorensen will conduct a service on Saturday, February 27 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home, 2898, North Morton Street, (U.S. 31 North) Franklin, Indiana 46131. Friends may call on Friday, February 26, 2010 from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Harris Cemetery where military rites will be conducted. Memorial contributions may be made to the Providence Church, 4080 W. 100 N., Bargersville, Indiana 46106
A little more info about O.J.
This comes from the Indpls. Star.
"He was born January 13, 1922 in Lyons, Indiana. He was a graduate of Union Twp. High School in 1940. He attended Butler University before joining the military. After World War II, he returned to Butler and graduated in 1946. As a part of the 78th Division, O.J. participated in the Battle of the Bulge and Ardennes Forest campaign as an infantryman earning the Bronze Star. He was co-founder of the Franklin Little League Baseball program along with Leroy Heminger, Bob Claxton, Eddie Balser and others. After graduating from Butler, he began his teaching and coaching career at Union Twp. High School. His teams won a sectional basketball championship in 1952 and two Johnson County Basketball Tournament titles. Union Twp. won the Johnson County Baseball League championship in 1960 under his direction. He also coached an undefeated Eighth Grade Basketball team in 1959 at Union. In the fall of 1960, O.J. became the Athletic Director at Center Grove High School. He spent twenty-five years at Center Grove at Athletic Director, Director of Guidance and a Vice Principal. After retiring in 1985, O.J. became an avid golfer at Deer Valley Golf Course competing daily with the likes of Ted Server and Stuart "Red" Faught and others. In 1993, he received his 50 year pin from the Union Masonic Lodge No. 545, F & AM in Providence, Indiana."
I went to his viewing and seen many CG '65 Classmates. His lovely wife Lorene told me that they had been married for 66 years. It seems that he was a very good Soldier and must have been a fine Husband/Father to boot. That's the kind of guy that O.J. was.
RIP, O.J.
I couldn't attend the viewing yesterday but did attend the services today. Talked with Mr. & Mrs. "C" and Carol T. Mrs "C" said that I was probably signing a new book because they had so many people there yesterday. Spoke with Lorene and she said that they both had really enjoyed the "roast" at the mini, said that OJ spoke very fondly of the '65' class. She figured that OJ and Vandy were probably already going at it, and I added that they were probably contesting a golf shot, she agreed with a laugh. Also spoke briefly with Keeny (sorry / spelling) and Jerry D. The service was very nice, but I think most were taken a little by surprise when the pianist began with the CG school song. Everyone stood up and most around me seemed to be smiling and acknowledging the selection. It was followed by what I think must have been Unions song (or vise versa) and that was followed by CG's fight song. Pretty neat thing! And, that sectional win was the ONLY sectional title ever won by the Union Ramblers, several commented that OJ was quite proud of that accomplishment. Very fitting that the family flowers for OJ had a basketball as a centerpiece.
And yes TD, quite a soldier, which he seldom talked about. OJ was the only soldier in his unit (?) that was not killed or wounded. Lorene had commented to the minister that during a visit to the European Theater to retrace OJ's service a fellow approached her and said that OJ had saved his life by directing him on the finer points of digging a fox hole (deeper with sand piled around it). There was a direct hit and the only thing that had saved him was the depth of the hole and the sand piled around it. Of course, at the "roast" we all heard about OJ's experience with the silk present from Lorene and his fox hole experience.
The three grandkids each spoke and we all learned that OJ had taught the kids how to play poker (sounded like he usually won), how to shoot a hook shot, how to shoot underhand foul shots, rode the Beast at Kings Island with his granddaughter, and was the best at doing the "This little pig went to market" at bed time; according to his granddaughter the highlight was when he squealed as he got to the last little pig.
A gentleman sang very softly "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" during the service, but it was kind of upbeat and lighter than normal, more like a conversation than a hymn. I suspect that it might well have been just that over the years.
There was a 21 gun salute and taps played at the graveside service.
Together for 66 years; Longer than we '65' VK's have been here.
Thoughts and Prayers go to Lorene and Family. RIP, O.J.
dj
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