John Pope Midyette

John Pope Midyette, 65, of Mechanicsville, VA passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024, surrounded by his devoted family. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all, John Pope Midyette was known for bringing a smile and a laugh to all who met him.

John was born in Richmond, VA, January 26, 1959, to James Webb Midyette Jr. and Lucille Pope Midyette (Tudie). He grew up on Maple Street in Ashland, VA where he made life-long friends. A 1977 graduate of Patrick Henry High School, he was an accomplished three-sport athlete. He went on to study business at Ferrum College and James Madison University where he met the love of his life, Donna, during her first week of college. He was known for being the life of the party at his Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

After graduating from JMU, he worked in the hotel industry, linen industry, and office supply industry in management and sales. Ultimately, he landed in the subsurface utility engineering business. He devoted 25 years to working at Inframap and was dedicated to his work as Vice President of Business Development. He was involved in several civil engineering organizations, including serving as past President and Vice President of the Old Dominion Section of ASHE, and past Chair of RJEC.

He and Donna settled in Mechanicsville, Virginia to raise their two children, Lauren and Michael. He loved spending time attending his children’s activities and coaching youth basketball, baseball, and soccer. He influenced and helped develop many young athletes over the years. John was an involved grandfather or “Grumps” to Levi and Parker, sneaking them sweet treats and cheering the boys on at every event.

His favorite things were spending time with his family: taking trips together to the beach and mountains. The family loved their time visiting the Chesapeake Bay at the family cottage in Deltaville. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and giving boat rides…even if the boat often broke down. He loved music, attending concerts, and taught himself to play the guitar as well as many other instruments. John never met a stranger, always greeting everyone with a warm smile and a quick wit that could light up any room with laughter.

John was preceded in death by his father James Webb Midyette Jr., and mother Lucille Pope Midyette. He is survived by his wife Donna Shields Midyette and two children Lauren Midyette Rowsey (husband Alex Rowsey, and their two sons Levi and Parker Rowsey), and John Michael Midyette (partner Beth Geiger), his sister Anne Reid Midyette, and brother James Webb Midyette III (wife Mary DiNardo Midyette, children Jamie Midyette and Jackson Midyette).

The family will be receiving visitors at Nelsen Funeral Home in Ashland, VA on Friday, October 11th from 5-8pm. The memorial service will be at Duncan Memorial Methodist Church in Ashland, VA on Saturday, October 12th at 1pm, inurnment will immediately follow at Woodland Cemetery in Ashland. Everyone is welcome to join in any or all events.

To honor John, please consider becoming an organ donor or donating to UNOS.