Terry Pope

Terry Hugh Pope passed away on Monday, June 22, 2020 in the loving presence of family at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, TX. A Celebration of Life for friends and family will take place in the coming months per Terry's wishes.

Terry, and twin sister Mary Alice, were born June, 1942 to Louise Elizabeth Smith and Faye Worth “Chick” Pope in Coeburn, VA. He was reared in Coeburn, VA, in the Appalachian Mountains, in the heart of the Virginia coal mines. Terry, and twin sister Mary Alice, were the oldest of the four children. Terry attended Coeburn High and graduated in 1960. During College at East Tennessee State University he played quarterback and was an active member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Terry even went on to play some Minor League Baseball.

Terry moved back to Coeburn after completing his college education and he taught elementary school and coached. In March 1967 Terry joined the United States Army where he held the positions of company commander and primary staff officer in Fort Hood, TX. Terry served active duty until 1970 and then was released to USAR as a Second Lieutenant until April 1973, all while he continued to pursue his lifelong career in teaching and coaching. The US Army brought this Appalachian Mountain loving man to Texas. Terry continued teaching and coaching in Killeen, TX after his military discharge.

Terry was a true educator, straight forward, cut to the chase, no fluff, tell you how it is, in your face COACH! He touched and shaped so many lives. Terry moved to Rockdale, TX around the 1989-90 school year where he continued to teach and coach for the next 10 years. He has since been recognized by the Texas State House of Representatives for teaching excellence as outlined in HB 2031.

Terry met his beloved wife Judy Anne Jones in the '90's. They would go on to travel to Virginia, Hawaii, Alaska and other beautiful destinations. Terry would continue his passion in education after retirement in 2000 in multiple school districts until Fall 2019. Terry and his loving wife Judy finally settled in Leander, TX. Judy would continue to care for Terry as she always had in his 13 year battle with cancer. Although there were many doctors, nurses and caregivers, Terry would always say Judy was his #1 nurse! In their time together Judy would help Terry plan and organize his various reunion commitments for organizations including TOCS Class 268 Bravo 2, Killeen Coaches Association, and Coeburn Class 1960. Terry's social involvement also included TAFE and Rockdale Coaches Hall of Fame.

Terry was passionate about leading others, paying it forward, cooking, football, New York Yankees, Texas Longhorns, and occasionally the Dallas Cowboys. Terry was the heart of the family and leader of the pack. He loved his family and friends dearly. Even as Terry grew ill he could be seen wearing a Longhorn shirt with his gray Russell sweat shorts, resting his leg over the other's knee, bouncing his foot up and down with his black flip flop barely hanging on as he watched football. When any big play would happen Terry would jump up hooting and hollering, call his son's Robert and Kendall to see if they saw it also before sitting back down. Then he would do it again a few minutes later. He was a good, true man that loved his wife of 27 years, his kids, grandkids, friends, family, and good ole football! He was passionate about cooking and was never happier when someone ate it all. Terry had constant work ethic his whole life. He made everyone around him better. His impact on his community, family, and friends was immeasurable and he will be dearly missed. Aloha and Hook 'em!!

Special thanks to all of Terry's caregivers including Dr. Briggs, Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, Ascension Seton Medical Center, and the many other medical professionals that cared for Terry.

Terry is preceded in death by his parents Louise Elizabeth and Faye Worth Pope, his sister Elizabeth Faye Moseley and brother Roger Louis Pope.

He is survived by his wife Judy Anne Pope; sister Mary Alice Powers and family; his two son's, Robert Allen Pope and, Kendall Worth Pope and his wife Kortnie; daughter Emily and her husband Eric Schirmer; his grandchildren Madelyn Dee, Justin Lane, Kyler Hugh, and Kooper James Pope; as well as many other dear family and friends.

Memorials can be made to the Jimmy V Cancer Foundation per one of Terry's last wishes (see link below). Terry wanted us all to know, "Remember, Onward and Upward."

http://jimmyv.convio.net/site/TR/PersonalFundraising/General?px=1751790&pg=personal&fr_id=1560

Founder: basketball coach JIM VALVANO

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano with one goal in mind: to achieve Victory Over Cancer.

Address for V Foundation for Cancer Research:

V Foundation for Cancer Research

14600 Weston Pkwy, Cary, North Carolina 27513

Contact the V Foundation for Cancer Research - Cary, NC

www.v.org

Email: info@v.org.

Phone: 919-380-9505.

Mailing Address: The V Foundation for Cancer Research

14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513.