Obituary of KOOP – John

September 28, 1923 – April 21, 2011 John Koop, beloved husband of Marjory Koop of Calgary, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at the age of 87 years. John was born in Kleefeld, MB on September 28, 1923 to Jacob and Anna Koop, the fourth of an eventual eleven children. He grew up on the farm and moved to Winnipeg as a young adult. In World War II he served in the forestry service and as a hospital orderly. He attended Elim Chapel, studied at Winnipeg Bible Institute, trained as a printer and prepared to become a missionary. In 1950 John went to Ethiopia with SIM (Serving in Mission, formerly Sudan Interior Mission) and worked to establish the mission’s printing operations in the country. On October 30, 1952 he married Marjory Schmucker, a missionary nurse from the United States. They had three children, Sandra Jean, Douglas John Allen and Julene Marjory. John and Marjory continued their work with SIM in Ethiopia for thirty years, serving in various capacities, mostly in printing and church development. In 1980 they were transferred to Toronto to work in the media department of SIM, where John served as business manager. They found a church home at Parkway Bible Church. They retired from full time work in 1990, and soon moved to Calgary to be near family, which now included five grandchildren. They found a second family at Varsity Bible Church. John’s gentle character, steadfast faith and hospitable spirit endeared him to countless friends scattered throughout the world. “By faith, John Koop served wherever he was led. His encouragement to others was light to the world.” Funeral Services will be held at Varsity Bible Church (4807 Valiant Drive N.W.) on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. You may forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes will be gratefully accepted by SIM Canada, 10 Huntingdale Blvd, Scarborough, ON M1W 2S5, Tel: 416-497-2424, www.sim.ca or by the Alberta Lung Association, P.O. Box 4500, Station South, Edmonton, AB T6E 6K2 Telephone: 1 (888) 566 – 5864. www.ab.lung.ca. In living memory of John Koop, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.