Barr "Craig" Stoops

Barr Craig Stoops

• 80 years old    

• Born on February 19, 1946 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

• Passed away on June 24, 2026 in Gettysburg

We are deeply saddened by the death of beloved husband and father Barr “Craig” Stoops on June 24, 2026. He was 80.

Craig is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lona Stoops and their three children: April (Marty) Schilpp, Brian (Krystal) Stoops, and Kelly Sandoe; siblings Denny (Linda) Hess and Jim Hess; six grandchildren Brett (Allysa) Stoops, Zack (Janine) Nolan, Sam (Lauren Weeks) Nolan, Marissa Sandoe, Abby Sandoe, and Maggie (JP) Clark; three great-grandsons Braxton Stoops, Brady Stoops, and Freddy Nolan; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and one brother, Donald.

Craig was born February 19, 1946. His mother, Leila Hess, raised him and his younger two brothers in Frederick County. He graduated from Emmitsburg (Maryland) High School in 1964.

Craig’s childhood was not always easy, and he started working before he was a teenager to help out with expenses, but he still found time to have plenty of adventures with his friends and family near and far. Movies and TV - especially Westerns – were an important part of Craig’s childhood, and he eventually passed down his passion for these “classics” to his children and grandchildren.

His wife, Lona, was the love of his life. When she was a cheerleader and Craig was a basketball player in high school, they found themselves paired up by default on the bus home to Emmitsburg from basketball state championships, and an epic love story was born.

They were married August 29, 1964 and started their family right away, welcoming their firstborn the next year. They moved to Gettysburg from Taneytown in 1969, and, as their three children grew up, the Stoops house became a favorite hangout for their friends.

Craig worked several jobs in his early career – sometimes two or more at a time - but being a bagger and checker at the Gettysburg A&P is the one that set him on his eventual career path in retail management. For more than 40 years, Craig managed stores such as A&P, Superfresh, Festival Foods, and Rite Aid in Gettysburg, Chambersburg, and the greater Harrisburg and Baltimore areas. His employees adored him, and he became a fixture in supporting the communities he served.

Craig and Lona danced their way through life, starting with local dance contests and continuing through weddings, reunions, and other events, even their kitchen and beside the pool, where Elvis and the oldies were sure to be the background soundtrack.

Craig was known to his grandchildren as Nook, and that soon became his favorite moniker. Having family gather at the backyard pool was the best part of every summer, and watching his grandsons play sports and going on vacations with his granddaughters were highlights of his retired years.

The last several years brought health challenges to both Craig and Lona, but his work ethic and sense of responsibility were hallmark traits, and it gave him great pride to continue to assert independence when he could: taking care of the “acreage,” clearing the driveway of snow, and whatever else he could physically do to protect and care for his wife and family. He was happiest when surrounded by good music, the laughter of family, and, especially, the joy and fun of the young ones, and he continued to shower them with songs, jokes, advice, and play through his last days.

We will all miss his playfulness with the grands and great grands, his singing along to Sirius channels by the pool, his outlandish stories of youthful mischief, and, especially, his out-loud presence as our gruff, gentle, goofy patriarch, but we are grateful he is at peace.

We encourage you to share your remembrances with others who knew Craig.