[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 57 (Friday, March 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E309-E310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING LUKE WALDROP

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 26, 2021

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Louis Stephens 
``Luke'' Waldrop Sr. of Salem, Virginia, who passed away on March 12, 
2021 at the age of 97. Mr. Waldrop was a real estate developer and 
philanthropist who made a tremendous impact on Salem throughout his 
long and active life.
  Mr. Waldrop was born on June 11, 1923 to Alexander Atkinson and 
Carolyn Bear Waldrop. He grew up in Roanoke and attended Episcopal High 
School in Alexandria. His collegiate studies at the University of 
Virginia (UVA) were interrupted by World War II, in which he served as 
a Navy medic in the Pacific theater. After completing his service, Mr. 
Waldrop returned to UVA to finish his degree and married Harriett, at 
the time a senior at Mary Baldwin College.
  After a stint in Richmond, Mr. Waldrop moved with his young family 
back to his native Roanoke Valley. His brother John introduced him to 
R.L. Russ, who educated him in the real estate business. Mr. Waldrop 
launched his own company, L.S. Waldrop Realty, in 1956.
  Much of our country was remade by the housing boom that followed 
World War II. It was Luke Waldrop that harnessed that boom to remake 
Salem. With a keen sense for deal making and closing the sale, he drove 
forward residential and business development. Middleton Gardens, West 
Club Forest, Woodbridge, Spartan Square, Salem Terrace at Harrogate, 
Caroline Forest Apartments, and over 900 single family homes resulted 
from his professional efforts.
  Mr. Waldrop was devoted to charitable causes and community 
organizations in Salem and beyond. Among the educational institutions 
that benefited from his contributions and support for endowed 
scholarships are his alma mater UVA, Roanoke College, Mary Baldwin 
College, Virginia Western Community College,

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and Episcopal High School. He was on the vestry at St. Paul's Episcopal 
Church, belonged to and at one time served as president of the Salem 
Rotary, and served on the Roanoke County Planning Commission.
  Mr. Waldrop was preceded in death by his first wife, Harriett, his 
second wife, Anne ``Dickie'' Dickson Jordon Waldrop, and grandson Adam 
Thomas Waldrop. He is survived by children Kathryn Kerkering (Tom), 
Caroline Buckman Haddock, Louis Stephens ``Steve'' Waldrop Jr., Preston 
Adam Waldrop (Jamie), Harriett Ann Waldrop, and Laura Doub (Bruce); 
thirteen grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and numerous great-
grandchildren. I offer them my condolences on the loss of Luke Waldrop, 
a member of the Greatest Generation who changed Salem for the better 
over his many decades in business and in service.

                          ____________________