Claude Pope Jr.

Claude Pope, Jr., 94, of Connersville died from a broken heart, Sunday night, March 4, 2018 at Fayette Regional Health System. Claude was born July 1, 1923 in Cynthiana, Kentucky to Claude, Sr. and Effie Banfield Pope. After graduating from Brownsville High School in 1941, Claude was inducted in the United States Army Air Corp where he honorably served in the 504th Bomb Group as an Airplane Electrical Mechanic. He campaigned for the Air Offensive Japan Eastern Mandates, the American Theater and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; receiving two bronze stars. Prior to his deployment, Claude was stationed in Illinois, Seattle, Washington, Lincoln, Nebraska and New Mexico. He married the love of his life, the former Frances Ervine, in Kansas City, Missouri on June 5, 1943. They were able to celebrate seventy-four years of marriage. In 1953, Claude began his career with Miller Dairy, delivering milk door to door and was dubbed “the last milkman.” He was formerly employed with Connersville Ice Company. Upon retiring, he and Frances purchased a 1987 Cougar and traveled to various locales including Mount Rushmore, Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, Florida and New Mexico. Claude saw the importance of taking care of his property and remained faithful to keeping his home and vehicles in tip top shape. He was a memorable, stand out man, who was consistently dependable and selfless. Claude was a fantastic father figure that will be remembered for his jolliness. He especially enjoyed his routine shopping at Kroger. Claude is survived by his five generations of family including his sons and spouses: Mike Pope and Kate of Blooming Grove; Jeff Pope and Lisa of Denver, Colorado; Bob Pope of Connersville; his grandchildren and spouses: Shannon Pope; William Pope and Michelle; Christopher Pope and Carina Lees; Todd Pope and Kim; Crissy Lutz; Amy Feeback and Jeremie; Abby Taylor and Steve Godsey; Ashley Helms and Michael; Brandon Pope and Lauren; Jason Pope and Quinton Pope; his great-grandchildren: Timothy Pope; Robert Pope; Jessica Szalai; Emily, Jack, Kara, Sofie, Maddie, Alyssa, Alexus, Alaina and Adelaide Pope; Mollie Feeback and Jared Hertel; Allison Feeback and Michael Shepard; Carlee Feeback; Mason and Cooper Taylor; Haisley and Hesston Helms; his great-great-grandchildren: Lillian Simmons, Keagon Pope and James Hertel; several nieces and nephews. Claude is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of seventy-four years, Frances Pope, who died October 23, 2017; his son: William “Bill” Pope and his infant son: Gary Francis Pope; his grandson: Gregory Pope; his brothers: Gurney and William “Bill” Pope and his sisters: Mary Livers and Lucille Burke. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville with his son, Mike Pope officiating. Interment will follow in Dale Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home Friday from 4 until 8 p.m. where memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice of charity. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com