Cleo Carl Pope, the son of Mary Alice (Gossett) and Elton Jay Pope, was born March 4, 1931 at Red Cloud, Nebraska. He departed this life on Friday, October 23, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Villa & Court in David City, Nebraska at the age of 89 years, 7 months and 19 days.
Cleo grew up in the Red Cloud community and received his formal education attending the Red Cloud schools, graduating with the class of 1949. While attending school he was actively involved in sports and attended Boys State in Lincoln. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he enlisted to serve his country on December 27, 1950. He served as a Staff Sergeant he specialized as a Camera Repair Technician and was stationed in Europe as they mapped the country. Cleo was united in marriage with Jeanne Johnson on May 6, 1952 at Red Cloud. This union was blessed with a son, Joe. They lived for a short time in Rapid City, South Dakota and on December 11, 1954 Cleo was honorably discharged from service.
They moved to Colorado where they lived for a period of time as he attended school and worked as a cook. They later moved to Franklin, Nebraska where they owned and operated the Frosty Mug Drive-In. In 1968, they moved to David City to make their home where Cleo worked as an insurance agent for a number of years. He then began his career collecting and selling antiques, owning the Attic Antique business until his retirement. Cleo loved attending auctions and meeting new people. His personality was pervaded by his genuine warmth and interest in everyone he met. He was a member of the American Legion.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Elton and Mary Pope and his brother and sister-in-law, Edsel and Alberta Pope.
Left to treasure his memory are his wife, Jeanne Pope of David City, Nebraska; his son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Shawna Pope of Urbandale, Iowa; grandson, Aaron Carl Pope and wife, Zoe; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary Margaret and Percy Pursell of Coquille, Oregon; other relatives and many friends.
Graveside services with military honors were Friday, 1:00 pm, October 30, 2020 at the Red Cloud Cemetery with the Rev. Bonnie McCord officiating.
Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970
Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com
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