Wade Brown Ropp, 88, born April 28, 1920 in Berkeley County, W.Va., a resident of Martinsburg, W.Va., died Wednesday, March 4, 2009.
He graduated from Martinsburg High School, class of 1938. He continued his education at Potomac State College in Keyser.
He served in the U. S. Navy as an aviator during World War II. He was a fighter pilot and a flight instructor in Pensacola, Fla. He was called back into service during the Korean Conflict and made an around the world cruise onboard the USS Tarawa. Wade was discharged from active duty after World War II, but continued active service in the Navy Reserves, and retired with the rank of full commander.
After being discharged he worked for the U.S. Government Civil Service. His last job title was personnel director for the Department of Commerce, which was a super grade, the highest position you can attain in government service. He reported to the Secretary of Commerce. He retired in 1970.
He married a southern belle name Marjorie Barnhill in Loxley while he was stationed in Pensacola, Fla., during World War II. They lived in Arlington, Va., while working for the government and retired to Fairhope on Mobile Bay in the 1970s. He moved to Elmcroft in Martinsburg in January of 2007.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Ropp and his parents, Harry B. Ropp and Jane Ridgeway Ropp, three brothers, George, Charles R. and Ivan Ropp, and two sisters, Mary Jane Leith and Amelia Ashton.
Survivors include a brother Philip (Carolyn) Ropp, of Martinsburg; a number of brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews in both the Ropp and Barnhill families.
Visitation begins at 1 p.m. with funeral services at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 14 at Fairhope United Methodist Church, Fairhope with Dr. Joe Bullington officiating. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Loxley.
Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Home, Martinsburg, W.Va. For online condolences go to www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.
