George P. Kopp, Jr.
STAUNTON:
Rev. George Philip Kopp, Jr., 86, of Staunton passed away Saturday, September 07, 2013, at Augusta Health in Fishersville.
Rev. Kopp was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 17, 1927, a son of the late
George Philip Kopp, Sr. and Ann (Suffield) Kopp. Because his mother died two weeks after the birth of his younger sister, his father then returned to his parents home where his grandmother, Tille (Dietz) Kopp, reared the two children to adulthood.
He was a member of St. Johns Reformed Church (United Church of Christ) near Middlebrook. He was a graduate of Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, and Eden Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, where he earned a Master of Divinity Degree. After his graduation from Seminary he served as the Minister of St. Johns Reformed Church for five years then the Navy recalled him to active duty as a chaplain in 1960. After his retirement he returned to St. Johns for three years.
Rev. Kopp served in the United States Navy during World War II as a Fireman First Class and served in Argentia, Newfoundland, as a Machinery Repairman 3rd Class in the Korean War earning the following campaign medals: American Theater, American Defense with one star, Asiatic-Pacific, and World War II Victory. He received the Presidential Unit Commendation medal for service at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan, during the Vietnam War.
In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death on October 2, 2008, by his beloved wife, Janet Marie Thompson (Shultz) Kopp. They shared fifty-two years together in a loving and devoted marriage. He was also preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Fred Westermann and three sisters-in-law, Evelyn Alexander, Helen Montgomery and Bertha Kerr.
Rev. Kopp is survived by a sister, Margie K. Westermann; four nieces, Kathleen W. Daggy, Ann W. Schwankhaus, Carolyn Alexander and Linda Jean L. Lunsford; four nephews, Paul Westermann, Larry Alexander, William (Bill) Kerr and James (Jim) Kerr; and a sister-in-law, Ora T. Lotts.
A graveside service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 14, 2013, at the St. Johns Cemetery by the Rev. Marilyn Heishman and Rev. John Peterson.
It is suggested those desiring may make memorial contributions to St. Johns Reformed Church Cemetery Fund, 1515 Arbor Hill Road, Staunton, Virginia 24401 or to the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad, Post Office Box 2566, Staunton VA 24401.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.