Tom "Tommie" Franklin Pope

Tom Pope entered into eternal rest on June 27, 2011 at his home in Brownsville with his wife, Wanda, by his side.

Tom was born on December 20, 1931, in the town of Leonard, TX. In 1939, the Pope family moved to Dallas where he received his education. Following his graduation in 1949 from Sunset High School, Tom was drafted into the army and served in Germany. With flying in his blood, he later took flying lessons and graduated from the Air Force Aviator Cadet Program in 1956. Tom proudly served in the Air Force for twenty years during which time he earned nine medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross. His foreign service included Germany, Greenland, Alaska, and Vietnam.

Major Pope retired in 1974 and at that time moved his family to Carrollton, TX. After his military retirement, Tom was employed at Omega Optical in Dallas, Texas.

On December 6, 1986, he married Wanda Powell in Las Vegas, NV and they moved to Irving, TX and later to Grand Prairie, TX. In 1993, Tom and Wanda moved to Brownsville, TX where they enjoyed the company of numerous golfing friends at Valley International Country Club where he was a member of the Cactus Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Pope and Tommie Gray Pope of Dallas a son, Duane Pope a brother, Charles Robert Pope and a sister, Barbara Flo Pope.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Wanda his daughters: Vanessa Larry Myrick of Trophy Club, TX and Tommie Belz of Steamboat Springs, CO a daughterinlaw, Tina Pope of Broken Bow, OK a sisterinlaw, Cathy Pope of San Jose, CA four grandchildren: Lindsey Paul Cain, Victoria Belz, and twins Zachary and Emily Pope and two greatgrandchildren, Macy and DeNali Cain.

In accordance with Toms wishes he was cremated. Memorial services will be held at Valley International Country Club in Brownsville, TX this fallwith the date to be determined. Part of Toms cremains will remain at home with Wanda and the other part will be laid to rest at the DallasFt. Worth National Cemetery.

Memorial gifts in Toms name may be made to Odyssey Healthcare of South Texas, 2501 Paredes Line Rd., Ste. B9, Brownsville, TX 78526 or the American Cancer Society, Rio Grande Valley, 5413 S. McColl Rd., Edinburg, TX 78539.

Memorial Contributions