Wayne Allen Stroup

Wayne Allen Stroup, 87, Searcy, died July 8, 2008. Born April 19, 1921 in Rose Bud to Reverend Henry Almus and Florie Cypert Watkins Stroup.
A 1939 Bald Knob High School graduate. A member of the Searcy First United Methodist Church since 1949.for almost forty years he made cookies on Sunday mornings at the church and they called him "Cookie Man." He was a retired general contractor and rancher.
Wayne served in World War II as an Army Air Corps Staff Sergeant and
B-25 airplane mechanic. He said "they drafted me for a year and a day, the year was ok, but the day was long." He served fifty-four months. After his military service he studied math and business on the GI Bill. A member of American Legion Post 106.
A member of Searcy lodge 49. he served in all chairs of Royal Arch Chapter 19, in Council 50 and in Hickman Commondery 37. He was Royal Arch District Deputy Grand High Priest, 1962-65. A 32nd Degree Mason and member of Whitewood and Scimitar Shrine.
Wayne volunteered at the White County Fair about 35 years. He served on the board and was Parade Marshall 7 years. He built the rodeo arena on the fairgrounds with volunteer labor and material donations. When the roof was added to the arena Wayne paid for the lighting system.
When Wayne purchased property in the Hony Hill Community he worked to improve the road. He hauled rocks to fill holes in the dirt road, then donated shale to build a roadbed. He helped pay for gravel and later blacktop. He was the force behind getting water to the area. Wayne and others paid for the pipe and installation. Some call him "The Mayor of Honey Hill."
He enjoyed his cattle, he liked the Hereford cattle with horns. Past member of the American Hereford Association. He served on the Arkansas Cattlemans Association Board. He received the outstanding Membership Service Award for his membership recruitment and service to the ACA and the Century Award for recruiting over 100 members in a year, several years. Wayne was Membership Chairman of the White County Cattleman's Association when it became the largest in the state.
Wayne traveled many miles with his horse, Prince. He participated in the Northeast, Central and Hillbilly Horse Show Association, plus trail rides and parades. For twenty years he raised registered Quarter Horses. Past member, American Quarter Horse Association. President of the Arkansas Quarter Horse Association, 1972. Founding member and president of the Searcy riding Club and the White County Quarter Horse Association. Past White County 4-H Horse Club leader.
Other organizations Wayne participated in are: Scout Master, Troop 240; Gum Springs Rural Fire District, Board; Little Red Rollin RV Club; Volunteer Deputy Sheriff, helped in Civil Patrol, White County Sheriffs Mounted Patrol and L&H Hunting Club at Wilmar.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Marty Hoyle and several cousins. Survivors are his wife of 40 years, Lequeita Lockridge Stroup; daughter, Dianna Stanley and husband Chuck; sister, Pauline Hoyle, Warren; Nephews, Kevin Hoyle, New Edinburg, AR; David Hoyle, Suwanee, GA; Tony and Terry Hoyle, Dallas, TX; cousins, Albert Yarnell, Searcy; Janene Tidwell, Halls, TN. Special Friends Sandy Walker, Little Rock; Harold, Dena and Robert Allen, Wynne and many friends over the state.