Donald Pope Jr.

Donald Alexander Pope, Jr. – A Life Well Lived

Donald Alexander Pope, Jr. of Coronado, CA, passed away at home on November 26, 2024 at the age of 86. He was the son of the late Donald A. Pope and Emma C. Wilson Pope and was born in Welch, West Virginia on October 4, 1938. Don was the devoted husband to Dolores Anne Reed.

In addition to his wife Dolores, Don is survived by their families, Michael Reed (Christine), Lucas Reed (Sarah Jones), Kaitlyn Reed and Thomas Farrell (Nyssa Fox); his daughters Lori Lynn Nelson (Robert), Loni Lee Moffet (Steve) and son Daniel Pope; siblings Kenneth Pope (Terry) and Virginia Daniel (Roger); grandchildren, Kenny Jones, Jenny Jones, Leigh Ann Hendley and Janet Leigh VanEpps. He was preceded in death by his grandsons Bradly Mac VanEpps and Daniel Austin Pope. He also has many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who will miss his kind heart, good nature and sense of humor.

Don joined the US Navy in 1957 and was on active duty four years and served an additional two years in the Navy Reserves. Following his military service, he pursued a career as an electrician and ultimately worked as an electrical supervisor on many large international construction projects. He was particularly proud of work on an expansion of the ARAMCO oil refinery in Saudi Arabia as well as refinery projects in Venezuela and Malaysia. His work also included multiple projects around the US including a stint on the Alaskan pipeline. Don retired in 2010 and moved to Coronado and married Dolores. He was an active member of Coronado Community Church and a favorite retirement activity was serving as a reading tutor at Strand Elementary School. He loved books and reading and collecting Hawaiian shirts.

We find comfort in knowing that Don’s legacy lives on through the love he shared, the lessons he taught us, and the cherished memories of our time together.

Full military honors for Don will be held at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr. San Diego, CA 92122 on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 11:30am. All are welcome. Attendees are asked to assemble by 11:15am for escort to the outdoor committal shelter.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s memory to Sharp Coronado Hospital Foundation where he received excellent and compassionate care (donate-coronado.sharp.com).