Joseph Edward Popp

Joseph Edward Popp, 92, of Killeen, Texas, passed away peacefully on 13 July 2026. He was born on February 5, 1934, in Fort Meade, Anne Arundel, Maryland, to Bryan Popp and Elsie Maude (Slaughter) Popp.

Joe graduated from North Madison High School - Class of 1953 in Madison, Jefferson, Indiana.

He joined the US Army on July 30, 1953. Joe’s basic training was at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was a Specialist E4 while at Ladd AFB Alaska in June 1958. During this time, he was accorded "Soldier of the Year" in February 1959 by the Yukon Army Command. A tank gunner in A Company 40th Armor, Specialist Popp was a guest of honor at a dinner at the command's NCO Club, a chamber of commerce luncheon, and received a Certificate of Merit and a three-day pass. His prize tour also included a visit to a recently completed Army Nike site. He was chosen among a dozen candidates by a board of five senior officers and his reward in addition to the honor title was a trip to Hawaii. He was promoted to Sergeant.

Joe married Johanna Wittkopf on March 25,1966 in Germany on a US military base.

Joe was walking infantry in Vietnam. Joe got hit with shrapnel in the arm. The explosion was about 10 feet from him. As a result, he was awarded a Purple Heart.

Joe served 3 tours in Germany and retired from the US Army on January 1, 1980, at Ft. Hood in Killeen, Texas, after serving for 25 years.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Johanna, his parents Bryan Popp and Elsie Maude (Slaughter) Popp, his brothers James Popp and Charles Popp, and his sisters Minnie Harwood and Betty June Sargent.

He is survived by several nieces and nephews and his caretaker Brenda Sneed and her family.

Military services for Joseph Edward Popp will be held 2 pm Monday, July 27, 2026 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.