Dean Wilford Pope

Dean Wilford Pope, 95, of Arvada, Colorado, died at his home on Sunday, February 26th, surrounded by his friends and family. He was born on December 16th, 1927, in Loveland, Colorado to Ernest and Audrey (Lafferty) Pope. He graduated from Johnstown High School in 1945.

Dean married Roberta L. McCarthy on November 1,1953, in Johnstown, Colorado.

He served for four years in the U.S. Navy, from 1950 to 1954, completing his service as Yeoman, Second Class.

Dean had a long career as a railroad man, initially joining the Burlington Northern as a brakeman in September 1948. He worked his way through many railroad positions, from switchman for the DNSL, he later joined the Rio Grande as a switchman, going on to serve as Train Master in Provo and Salt Lake City, UT, and Terminal Train Master in Grand Junction and Denver, CO. In 1970 he became a Line Train Master from Denver to Craig and Assistant Superintendent for the Colorado Division. He retired as Amtrak Director of Passenger Services in Denver.

An avid outdoorsman and son of the American West, Dean passionately pursued hiking, fishing, camping, and hunting, activities first enjoyed with his father and two brothers and continued later with his nephews, extended family, and strong circle of friends. He loved to travel, visiting most of the U.S., and was an enthusiastic fan of the Denver Broncos. Always ready to lend a hand, Dean enjoyed the camaraderie of country life, frequently joining his family and close friends in Wyoming and Nebraska in the work of farming and ranching.

He was active in the Masons, where he belonged to the Century Lodge 190 in Greeley, Colorado, having been initiated as an apprentice in 1949. He went on to become a 32nd degree Mason (Scottish Rite).

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Jack Pope, and his wife of 52 years Roberta L. Pope, who passed in 2005.

He was a devoted husband, father, and family man. He is survived by his Brother Reid and wife Nelda Pope of Fort Collins, Colorado; his daughters: Cindy and husband Ron Minks of Arvada, Colorado, and Cheri and husband Harold Haefele of Douglas, Wyoming; four grandchildren: Nathan D. Woods and husband J. Ryan Lennon of Chula Vista, California, Tyler and wife Miranda Haefele of Casper, Wyoming, Troy and wife Jordyn Haefele of Chadron, Nebraska, and Riley and husband Brandon Dilts of Wright, Wyoming; six great grandchildren: Rhett and Burke Haefele, Suttyn and Hyatt Haefele, Trace and Sterling Dilts; and numerous nieces, nephews, treasured friends and loved ones.

Services will be held at 9a.m. on Wednesday March 8th at Olinger Crown Hill Chapel in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. A graveside service at 1pm will follow at Elwell Cemetery in Johnstown Colorado.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Colorado Railroad History Museum, 17155 W. 44th Avenue, Golden, Colorado 80403.