Tour Guide Bio’s
Ron Roope:
Ronne Roope was the founder of Tours of Jerome in 2008. Ron worked as a Historian for the town of Jerome while acting as the Archivist for the Jerome Historical Society. Ron also lived for over 30 years in both Sedona and Cottonwood. Observing the millions of guests to Jerome who would stroll the historic streets and visit the unique shops and restaurants of Jerome, he realized that many of them left without learning the great historic relevance of Jerome to the entire Verde Valley. That’s when he decided to begin Jerome’s first and original, historic tour company that would bring people from parts of Arizona to Jerome while narrating the rich history of the area.
On the tour, guides would tell numerous historic tales of murder, suicides, and famous characters that took place in this town once known as the “Wickedest Town in the West” by the New York Sun newspaper. Many guests suggested a haunted tour be added, and since Jerome was nearly a ‘Ghost Town’ for many years, ‘Haunted’ tours were added to the list. Ron retired in 2012 and sadly lost his battle with cancer in early 2017. He is greatly missed.Jason S. Voss:
Jason grew up in Minnesota and Wisconsin, before moving west in 1990. His parents retired to Clarkdale and later Cornville in 1997.
Jason moved to Cottonwood in 2014 and is also a local artist with several shows over the years in Jerome and Cottonwood. Jason’s artwork is inspired by Jerome and it’s rich layers of history and haunted notoriety.
His work can be seen at The House of Joy Gallery in Jerome and inside the tour office. Jason’s artwork was also used by the Jerome Historical Society for it’s annual Ghost Walk event in 2016 and 2017, and in 2024!
Don Lund:
Don Lund is a retired LA Police Officer, retired transit operator and tour guide from Oregon. Don is thrilled to be working as a tour guide in the Verde Valley and Jerome. Don thrives on sharing the history you don’t know, sharing the stories you don’t hear, and exploring Jerome’s haunted mining past with you.
Dave Spude:
Dave Spude is an Arizona native and grew up in Sedona. Dave has 30 years of guide experience working as a fishing Guide, Kayak Guide, Historic and Haunted guide in Jerome, Clarkdale and Cottonwood. Dave knows his local History very well and his brother has written several historic books on the Verde Valley.