Dana O. Pope

Dana O. Pope, 80, passed away on Sunday, August 26, 2012. He was born December 30, 1931 in Thomas OK. He served honorably in both the United States Navy and eventually retired from the United States Army. His tour of duty consisted of action in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts (as with others, he didn’t talk about these much). Stateside tours included but not limited to Fort Hood TX, Fort Polk LA, and Fort Sill OK, and Austin TX. While in Austin, he met and married his neighbor Mary Frances Lesikar on September 29, 1961. He retired from the military in 1973 and moved to San Antonio TX. His second career included being an auto mechanic at Dean’s Auto Parts and Service and also Al’s Windcrest Gulf.

He enjoyed fishing, everything from freshwater at Calaveras Lake to the Washington coast, all the way to the Sail fish he caught in Florida. He looked forward to his monthly poker night with the boys and hunting. Every year he looked forward to dove season and opening weekend. Although his vision wasn’t what it used to be, he got to bust some shells and spend time with friends and family.

The past year or so he spent his time taking care of his “Bride” and “Apple of His Eye”. He made sure to visit Mom every day when possible. He had to run the household by paying bills, grocery shopping, and going to the bank, whatever it took he accomplished (as he did throughout his life). He missed Mom so very much and just wanted to get her home.

He loved telling stories and sharing his past experiences with others. If you had time to listen, he had time to tell you a tale…beware of some of his tales though, as the endings would change at times to suit the mood, but then again, that’s why you never tired of hearing them.

Dana Pope was a respected man, loving husband and very caring father who loved his country. Relatives and friends of the family were treated the same, if you were a friend you were family and if you were family you were a friend.

Looking at it, the man had a full life. He touched the lives of all of our families and friends. If you get to the point of not remembering him, take one look at his family and all of his son’s high school friends and you’ll see a little bit of Dana in everyone of them.

FATHER, DADDY, YOU ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED!!!

He is survived by his bride of 50 years, Mary Frances Pope, daughter Katherine and husband Craig Evans, Bulverde TX; son Robert F. and wife Donna Pope, Corsicana TX; four grandchildren, Amanda and husband Logan Jones, Crystal Pope, Matthew Evans, and Candace Pope; one great granddaughter, Addison Jones; sisters Wilma Shipman, Dixie Woody, and Dwana Baker; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.