Honoring our veterans, part II
The Rev. Dale T. Cropper, Jr.
The Reverend Dale Cropper, Jr. was born June 22, 1934 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, Maryland. During his elementary years, he attended the “Little Red School House” in Charlotte Hall, Md. From 7th – 12th grade, Dale attended Charlotte Hall Military School. After completing military school, he attended Bullis Prep and served in the Navy during the Korean War. From 1953-1954 he attended the Naval Academy. From there he went to Georgetown University and graduated on June 9, 1958.
On June 21, 1958, Dale Cropper married Sue Colliflower at his home parish of “All Faith Episcopal Church.” Dale attended the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, MD, and was consecrated to the Priesthood on December 16, 1961.
The Rev. Dale Cropper served his first position at Christ Church in Kensington, Md. from 1961 to 1963. In 1963, he became the Vicar of two parishes, St. James Episcopal Chapel in Bowie, Md and St. George’s Episcopal Church Glenn Dale, Md. (1963-1970). Father Cropper also volunteered as Chaplain and Assistant Chief at Bowie Fire Department. In 1970, he became the Rector of Holy Communion located in Washington D.C., on Martin Luther King Avenue. In 1973, Reverend Cropper returned to St. Mary’s County and accepted the call to St. George’s Episcopal Church in Valley Lee, Md. At this time, he served as Chaplain to the Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. He also served as State Police Chaplain for the Leonardtown barracks.
After Father Cropper retired in 1997, he was able to serve as a supply priest at All Faith Church, which he enjoyed very much because of his close ties and connection to the church. The Rev. Cropper, along with his wife Sue, his son Adam and his wife Jeri and daughter Randi, all became members of All Faith Church in 2003. After completing a long and beautiful journey serving his Lord, Father Cropper came home to his original church family at All Faith. Father Cropper passed away on October 14, 2005 at his home in California, Md. He is buried alongside his mother and father at the All Faith Church Cemetery.