Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 31, 2024

CHARLOTTE, NC – Thomas Clinton Stroupe, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, beloved uncle and good friend to many, peacefully fell asleep in God’s presence on Saturday, August 31, 2024.  Tommy lived to see his 99th year with his family by his side.   Born in Charlotte, NC on August 27, 1925, he was the eldest son of Clinton and Sarah Stroupe and graduated from Central High School. 

Tommy attended Duke University and earned his Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the Citadel in 1949.  He earned a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School in 1950.  Prior to this, he served in World War II as a Captain in the 17th Airborne Division glider section, being dropped behind German lines in the largest Airborne operation in history and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.  Tommy married Patricia Stephens on March 15, 1947, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte and lovingly raised two daughters and a son.

Tommy was managing partner of Lumberton Implement Company in North Carolina for over two decades and expanded the holding to three locations.  He played an active role in the national business affairs of International Harvester Corporation.  After moving to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Tommy pursued several administrative and business positions before turning to his love of the ocean and spending time with their many friends.  He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and Rotary International.

The Episcopal Church was Tommy’s adopted Christian community and became a bedrock of his life.  In Lumberton, NC, he was faithful in attendance and instrumental in the life of Trinity Church.  He left an indelible mark on the parish.  When Pat and Tommy moved to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, he found his spiritual home in what would become St. Peter the Fisherman.  Tommy nurtured the new parish in its days worshiping in the local elementary school.  He saw it through recognition as a parish and eventually helped to establish its physical embodiment.  After their return to Charlotte, Tommy practiced his faith regularly with the 8 o’clock congregation at St. Martin’s Church.

Near the end of his life, Tommy wrote, “When I see the ocean, feel the sand under my feet, feel the ocean breeze on my skin, the salty air…I’m at peace.”  He accomplished this in his joy, the family Nimrod Camper.  He was always happy that he could be sitting on his campsite at Myrtle Beach two hours after closing time on a Friday.  Tommy and Pat took their family camping extensively throughout their life.  They watched the moon landing in 1969 at their campsite picnic table in North Bergen, New Jersey.

Tommy loved his family, many friends, and his church.  He will be remembered by all of them.

Tommy is remembered by his daughters, Pamela S. Brown of Charlotte and Constance D. S. Belmore of High Point, the wife of his late son, Suzy Stroupe of Jacksonville, FL; his seven grandchildren, Abigail B. Zollinger (Richard) of Charlotte, Elizabeth B. Wolf of Charlotte, Caroline B. Woods (Skyler) of Huntersville, Thomas K. Belmore of Asheville, Sarah M. Belmore (Justin Hays) of North Las Vegas NV, Duane Stroupe and Jonathan Stroupe (Heather) of Jacksonville FL; great-grandchildren, Liam and Parker Zollinger and Ally and Vinny Wolf, Hudson and Landon Woods, Ella, Luke, Hudson, Rylynn, and Everlee Stroupe.  Also are his nephew, Jim Greenwood (Pam) of Charlotte; niece, Polly Russ (Rusty) of Shallotte, and special to Tommy, niece, Patsy and her husband, John Ratterree.  Tommy was the beloved husband of the late Patricia Stephens Stroupe and the loving father of his late son, Stephen Clinton Stroupe.

Funeral Services for Tommy will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 510 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC.  Interment will follow in the memorial garden with military honors.

If you wish to honor Tommy’s life, the family requests that memorials may be made to the parish of St. Peter the Fisherman Episcopal Church, 4220 Saxon Drive, New Smyrna Beach, FL, 32169 (www.stpetersnet.net) or Crescent Hospice, 1030 Riverwalk Parkway, Suite 101, Rock Hill, SC 29730.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.