Oscar Eugene “Gene” Pope, 91, of DeGraff, died Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at his home. He was born in Hardin County, Ohio on August 12, 1933, a son of the late Harrison Lester Pope and Myrtle (Gates) Pope.
On December 23, 1950, Gene married Mary K. (Dowell) Pope in Richmond, Indiana and she preceded him in death on April 24, 2020. He was also preceded in death by two great grandchildren, Liam Pope, and Knox Pope; three sisters, Beatrice Bender, Avril Hughes, and Connie Pope; and three brothers, William Carol Pope, Roger Pope, and David Pope.
Gene is survived by his four sons, Ronald E. (Pam) Pope, Jerry (Mary) Pope, Steve Pope, and Alan (Tonya) Pope; thirteen grandchildren, Heidi (Matt), Heather (Chad), Hollie (TJ), Shane (Tiffany), Kimmie (Tim), Stevie (Aimee), Brandon (Jessica), Carrie (Jamie), Brittany (Josh), Zachary (Peighton), Scottie (Jamie), Justin (Nicole), and Ethan (Sammy); 30 great grandchildren; a great great granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gene retired from Copeland in Sidney, Ohio. An avid fan of the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, and especially loved family dinners.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, 210 W. Hayes Street in DeGraff, where Patrick Plikerd will officiate a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Quincy, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made, in Gene’s memory, to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.
DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME, DEGRAFF is honored to serve the Pope family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.
