Philip Wendell Tope

Philip Wendell Tope, (72) of Wesley Chapel passed away in an accident while on a business trip in Nicaragua on Tuesday, November 17, 2015. He is survived by his loving wife, Kimberly, his brother Robert Tope (Gretchen), and 6 children; sons Darrell (Sandi), Douglas (Janet), and John (Terri), as well as daughters Lisa Tope, Andrea Murray (Peter) and Amanda Pemberton (Sam). He also leaves behind nine grandchildren, Brett, Brittany, Melanie, Lauren, Savannah, Peyton, Austin, Kennedy and Mia, two great-granddaughters, Ayden and Rylee and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Phil went to Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia then graduated from Winter Park High School. He immediately went to work as a third generation “Citrus Man” at Tope Brothers in 1962. Citrus was his vocation and passion for the rest of his life. He worked with several major citrus concerns over the years. Phil was a part-owner and Executive Vice President of Silver Springs Citrus for 22 years. After selling his interest there, he became a Vice President of Oakley Transportation, Inc. mastering the logistical aspects of transporting juice domestically and internationally. In 1992 he became the Vice President of Gumaco, Inc., which later became Tampa Juice Holding, Inc., where he remained for the last 23 years. Phil had many notable accomplishments as a patriarch of the Florida Citrus Industry and was very proud of his part in building the Costa Rican Citrus Industry, where he helped build a state of the art juice processing facility, developed over 40,000 acres of citrus trees and pineapple plants in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua, then built and ran a 2.5 million gallon juice holding facility at the port of Tampa. Working with Jim Horrisberger (then of Cargill) he brought the first bulk shipment of Brazilian juice concentrate into Florida and recently was the first importer to move Mexican juice into the US in a bulk tank ship. He was a man of his word and business with him was done on a handshake for the entirety of his 54 year career. Totally honest, and generous, Phil was always there for family or friends and will be missed terribly by all who had the privilege of knowing him. In lieu of flowers, Phil would be most touched if donations were made in his name to the college his grandfather founded; The Richard E. Tope Memorial Scholarship sponsored by Colorado Mesa University, 1100 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501. Alternatively, for 25 years he supported Metropolitan Ministries, 2002 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602 and would be honored to continue the tradition. “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile”. A Celebration of Philip’s life will be held Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 2pm at The First Congregational Church of Winter Park, 225 Interlachen Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789.