Joseph Riley Pope, (1934-2013) of Denton, died in his home Friday, December 6, 2013.
Mr. Pope was born on April 16, 1934 in Abilene, TX to Richard Marion and Bobbie Jean (Collins) Pope. He was married to Jean Eileen Kincaid in 1955, and graduated with a degree in Mathematics from Hardin Simmons that Spring. He worked as a high school Math teacher first in Stinnett, TX, and later in Abilene public schools. In the interim Joe enlisted in the US army and served during the Korean war stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. After his discharge in August 1958, Joe was exceptionally driven to provide for the family he and Jean had begun. Early in their marriage, Joe maintained three jobs; math teacher in the day, sales clerk at Sears in the evening and auto-mechanic on weekends. Always adept and thoughtful, Joe retrained himself for successive careers in software engineering and industrial thermal mechanics. He relished discussions in (astro)physics, engineering and spiritual matters. Family also remember him for his fine sense of humor, his generosity and capacity to ennoble others with the warmth of his magnanimous spirit.
Mr. Pope is survived by a daughter, Linda Hebert of Rowlett; sons, Marshall Pope of Coralville, Iowa, Lee Pope of Mesquite, Wesley Smith of Arlington; brother, Bill Pope of Abilene; 6 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; He was preceded in death by Jean, his wife of 53 years, his daughter, Rhama Pope Jones and a sister, Rhama Del Verbeck.