Joseph Merle Kropp

January 2, 1921 - February 23, 2021

Joseph (Joe) Merle Kropp, 100, passed away February 23, 2021. Joe and his twin sister Marjorie were born January 2, 1921 in Bridgeport, Washington to John and Mable (Stringer) Kropp. Joe spent his entire life as a wheat farmer on Dyer Hill. He attended Sunnyside Grade School and graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1939. He married Dorothy Stromer on December 18, 1943 and they celebrated 68 years of marriage together. Joe was a hard worker who farmed well into his eighties. He kept a garden his entire life where he grew giant heirloom green beans and all his own vegetables. He was a caretaker of the land who enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching deer and feeding quail with his own wheat in the winter. He also looked forward to hosting “the boys” from the Coast each Fall for hunting season. A favorite pastime of his was taking backroad sightseeing trips with family anywhere the roads would lead. He spent a few winters with Dorothy as a snowbird in the Southwest, but was always happiest at home. Joe spent his last night on Dyer Hill when the 2020 Labor Day Fire burned through. Dyer will not be the same without him there to visit with anyone who happens by. He was happy to have recently celebrated his 100th birthday with five generations of family in attendance. In his typical dry sense of humor, he said he was going to charge us to take his picture. He is survived by daughter Darlene Caldwell (Don Baker); Granddaughters Terri (Tracy) Zahn and Jolene (JR) Argo; Great-Grandchildren Lolly Brown, Darby Jones, Garrett Argo and MaKenna Argo; Great-Great-Grandchildren Presley Avenell, Bridget Jones, Kate Jones and Kathryn Argo; niece Laura Lilly and nephew JW Troutman. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, twin sister Marjorie Lilly, son-in-law Robert Caldwell and Great-Granddaughter Kelsey Argo. All are welcome to celebrate Joe’s life at a service officiated by Mr. Ralph Rigg at Barnes Chapel on Friday, March 19 at 1:00. Instead of sending flowers, take a minute to talk to anyone who happens by.