Johnny
Ray Pope, 83, of LeFlore, OK passed from
this life and was welcomed into Heaven on Saturday, December 29, 2018, at
Tidwell Living Center in Wilburton.
Johnny Ray was born on August 6, 1935
in LeFlore, OK to John Vernon & Ruth Irene (McAlester) Pope. He attended LeFlore High School and played
basketball and baseball for the LeFlore Savages. After graduation Johnny Ray attended Eastern
Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in Wilburton. Johnny Ray played baseball for Eastern in
1954 and 1955. In 1955 his team won the
National Regional Junior College Baseball Tournament. The Mountaineers were champions of a
three-state area covering Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. Johnny Ray also had tryouts with the New York
Yankee’s Baseball Team. He was invited
back for a second tryout but did not want to go because his teammates were not
included. He graduated from Eastern in
May of 1955 and earned his Associate of Science Degree. In 1958 he served in the US Army.
Johnny Ray married Doris Jean Sasnett
on December 20, 1958 in LeFlore. They celebrated their 50th Wedding
Anniversary on December 20, 2008.
Johnny Ray worked for OK Foods in Ft. Smith, AR and ran Chicken Catching
Crews in Oklahoma and Arkansas. Johnny
& Doris opened Pope’s Farm and Ranch Supply in Talihina for several
years. Later they opened DJ’s Handy
Stop and Pope’s Farm and Ranch Supply in LeFlore. Johnny & Doris worked hard on their ranch
west of LeFlore. Johnny was awarded the
Award of Merit for Outstanding Accomplishments in Resource Conservation and was
presented the award by the Talihina Soil Conservation District. Johnny was of the Baptist Faith.
Johnny enjoyed driving his Gater
around, checking the loop, running race horses, playing dominoes, watching
horse racing, working on his ranch, spending time with his family, going to
LeFlore Senior Citizens, bailing hay in the summer, watching OU football,
basketball and most especially OU Women’s softball and attending LeFlore Savage
sporting events and watching his grandkids play for the Savages. He was preceded in death by his parents and
wife, Doris.
He is survived by his daughter Renee Johnson
& husband Les; son, Wayne Pope &
wife Regina all of LeFlore; grandchildren, Josh Pope of LeFlore, Cody Johnson
& wife Ashlee of Wilburton, Kayla Pope Rees and husband RC of Bokoshe,
Misty Renee Johnson, Johnny Paul Johnson, Makenzie Pope all of LeFlore; great
grandchildren, Lexie Johnson of Whiteboro, Gunner , Joshlynn and Shawnna Pope
of LeFlore, Gracie & Rich Rees of Bokoshe, Cody Jett Johnson of Wilburton;
special dear friend, Linnie Merryman of Red Oak; special friend and brother in law, Marvin
Sasnett & wife Joyce, brother in law, Eddy Sasnett & Harley Sasnett of OKC; sisters in law, Loyce
McFerran of Tulsa, Geneva Bell of OKC, Jane Carter of Concord, CA; uncle and
aunt, Clyde and Betty McAlester of Summerfield; numerous other relatives &
friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 10
am, Thursday, January 3, 2019 at LeFlore Baptist Church with Rev. Charles
Caughern officiating. Burial will follow
at LeFlore Cemetery. Pallbearers will be
his grandchildren, Josh Pope, Cody Johnson, Kayla Pope Rees, Misty Johnson,
Johnny Paul Johnson and Makenzie
Pope. Honorary pallbearers will be
Marvin & Jimmy Sasnett, Ronnie Henderson, Michael Kerwin, Larry McAlester,
Jim Waits, Brian Ryles, Teresa Carpenter Dupree, Donna “Cricket” Groat, Christa
McAlester Marrs, Judy Goad, Dennis Owens, Harvey Walden, Bennie Wylie, Charlie
Lawrence, Preston Green, Dr. Gerald Rana, James Deere, Daniel Ingle, Leon
Hannebrink, Robert Prock and Johnny Mack Ward.
In lieu of flowers the family has
requested donations be made to the LeFlore Senior Citizens Center, PO Box 57,
LeFlore, OK 74942.
