John David “JD” Waldrop, 83, of Denver, NC, passed away on June 10, 2026.
He was born at home in Caldwell County, NC on October 13, 1942, to John Henry Waldrop and Arvilla Cook Waldrop as the sixth of twelve children. He grew up in a harsh time and a harsh place, but his heart was always filled with God, his family, and love. During primary school, he worked in the tobacco and cotton fields of a tenant farm in Chester, SC. Even then he already had a brilliant engineering mind. He was around 7 years old when he saved enough for his very first set of store-bought clothes that weren’t hand-me-downs. He continued to work as hard as he could to make it off the tenant farm and help everyone possible.
One of his first jobs off the fields was at a gas station where he made decent tips, but he made far more money in the evenings running moonshine for the station owner (“they can’t arrest him now, can they?”). He saved enough money to make it to the tobacco mills in Lumberton, NC, and to rent a room. There he met his future wife, her family and the man who would change his trajectory and help him build a life he could only dream of – his cherished father-in-law, J.L. Jones.
JD saw his draft number coming up for Vietnam, so he joined the Army and maneuvered himself into the Army’s first class of Physician Assistants. He served directly under the US Surgeon General, earning a special security clearance and becoming a combat medic and special operations PA who flew his own slick (no guns) into action. One thing hugely important to him was keeping his security clearance. After returning to the US, he went on to work on the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, which secretly housed our National Defense Systems. JD truly did not talk about his service much, but honestly, he couldn’t talk about what he did. Even his family didn’t know about his extraordinary roles until everyone else found out about the complex.
When the war was over, he earned an Engineering degree from UNC Chapel Hill – an engineering degree from a school that didn’t even have an engineering program. With JD’s faith in God and family, he could do anything, and that’s what he did. He went on to work for the company he referred to as Ma Bell – AT&T – and then later BellSouth and other subsidiaries. He retired from the phone company after 28 years of employment.
While a student, he became a member of the Presbyterian Church at Buffalo Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC. Although he moved to many states, he always joined the local Presbyterian congregation. He was an Elder and was also a part of the Presbyterian Synod. One thing was consistent – his drive to be a leader for youth and especially for those in need. He continued to support young people until he simply could no longer move.
Over several years, his daughters attended Camp Grier summer camp located in his beloved mountains outside of Asheville, NC. After one of his daughters became a camp counselor, JD immersed himself into Camp Grier life. Keeping Camp Grier alive and growing became one of his passion projects. He was a fisherman. Sometimes he caught fish, but mainly he caught souls. With his gentle spirit, he ministered to lost souls, poor souls, meek souls, overlooked souls, broken souls, young souls, and old souls. He said he never “let his left hand know what his right hand was doing,” but he gave of his time, his talents, and his finances to help and support others every chance he had.
He adored his two daughters, but he had hundreds of children adopted into his life by his soft demeaner, his never-ending wisdom, and his dedication to hearing others. He was quick to listen, slow to speak, and even slower to anger. He was a role model to all.
After caring for his first wife and son-in-law until their respective deaths, his life changed once again. He met and married his deeply adored wife, Patsy. They traveled the United States by car, singing and enjoying life with a bliss he had never experienced in his childhood. They also traveled the world. They loved the mountains, music, new foods, and a nice cuddle in front of the fire… but mainly they loved each other. Everyone who saw them said, “I wish I could find a love that puts that kind of light in my eyes and smile on my face.” JD truly and deeply loved Patsy who cared for him until he went home to be with God. He had his family and love in his heart. And he cherished every moment of that until the absolute end.
JD was preceded in death by his sisters Marie, Mabel, Maxine, and Mozelle, and his first wife, Carolyn J. Waldrop. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved and cherished wife, Patsy D Waldrop; daughters Jennifer W Wahab and Janelle W Suddath; beloved grandchildren Josh, Jordan, Mackenzie (her husband Joshua), and Dylan; brothers Joe, J.R., Jack, Jerry, and Jan, and sisters Monteen and Margaret. Also left to cherish his memory are over 48 nieces and nephews, whom he adored.
A Memorial service will be held on June 28, 2026, at 3 PM at: Unity Presbyterian Church; 8210 Unity Church Rd, Denver, NC 28037.
In lieu of flowers, donations in JD’s memory may be made to: Camp Grier general fund or Unity Presbyterian Church.
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