R.J. Drope was born on October 27, 1926 in Rector, Arkansas to Roy Jefferson Drope and Edna Eugene (Matthews) Drope. He passed from this life on October 8, 2010 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 83 years, 11 months & 11 days.

R.J. had lived many years in California before his retirement from Atlantic Richfield Oil Co. He moved back to Oklahoma in 1995 and had lived in the Eufaula Lake area where he was well known and loved. He was proud to have served his country as a member of the United States Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion. He will be remembered as a very dedicated family man and was considered a father figure by all of his siblings. He enjoyed life very much as well as going dancing, fishing, attending auctions and being an accomplished "collector".

He was preceded in death by 2 sons; Lloyd Dale Drope & Tom Jeffrey Drope, 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

He is survived by 1 daughter; Donna Speicher and husband Heinz, of Bakersfield, CA, 1 son; Raymond Lynn Drope of Canadian Shores, OK, 3 sisters; Geraldine Mehlberg of Lavaca, AR, Gladys Smith & Sue Jones both of Barling, AR, 7 grandchildren; Paul Heinrich Speicher, Christina Jean Throne, Mike Drope, Gena Drope, Scott Drope, Cassie Drope & Jenny Drope, 2 great-grandchildren; Jacob Throne & Alayna Speicher, 1 cousin; Cecil Terry of Lavaca, AR, his special friend and dance partner; Eillene McLaughlin of Morris, OK as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.