Roger Lon Pope age 75, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 22, 2024. Roger was born on December 19, 1948, to Elisha Lon Pope Jr. and Betty Marie Pope (nee Grove). He spent his childhood in Shaker Heights, Ohio, before moving to Valley View, Ohio, during his sophomore year in high school. He played football for Cuyahoga Heights High School and graduated in 1967. He was drafted in 1969 and did his basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was enlisted into The Special Forces. As a Green Beret, Sergeant Pope served with distinction earning two bronze stars for heroism. He was wounded and received a purple heart; he carried the shrapnel in his chest until he died. He served in the U.S. Armed Forces from February 7, 1969, until Honorably Discharged on February 5, 1972. He returned home to Valley View, Ohio and drove trucks for Cleveland Freight Lines and as an independent trucker. He retired in 2010 and enjoyed cookouts with family and friends. He visited family in Georgia and Tennessee. He loved playing volleyball and eating popcorn. Roger loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and his church family at Valley View Village Church. He is survived by his sisters, Donna P. Lloyd (Gary) of Jasper Georgia, Jennifer Graceffo (Larry) of Northfield, Ohio; honorary stepdaughter Jessica Kadish (Rob) of Brecksville, Ohio, and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Valley View Village Church 11401 Tinkers Creek Rd. Valley View, OH 44125. A luncheon will follow.
Burial and Military Honors will take place at 2:15 p.m. at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery 10175 Rawiga Rd. Seville, Ohio 44273.