Kirk A. Pope Jr., decorated veteran
SFC(R) Kirk A. Pope Jr., 56, passed away peacefully at Delaware Hospice in Milford, surrounded by his wife and son Tuesday, April 29, 2014. He battled cancer valiantly for the last two years. He never surrendered.
Kirk is preceded in death by his parents, Kirk A. and D. Elizabeth Munday Pope. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Lambert and son Tony Savage of Lewes; son, Jeremy Pope of Lynchburg, Va.; daughter, Amanda Pope of St. Louis, Mo.; sisters, Debra Pope Bowman (William) of Leesburg, Va. and Sharon Pope Latimer (Thomas) of Jacksonville, Fla.; and aunt Patricia Pope Rockett (Leon) of Lewes.
Mr. Pope was born and raised in Landover Hills, Md. He graduated from Augusta Military Academy, Fort Defiance, Va. After military school, he enlisted in the Army and went on to graduate from the Special Forces Qualification Course from JFK Special Warfare Center, earning him the coveted Green Beret and was deployed with 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). Some of his awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service, Army Commendation, Army Achievement, National Defense Service, NCO Professional Development Ribbon Numeral 3, Army Service, Army Good Conduct, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Marksmanship badge w/Pistol Bar, Expert Marksmanship badge w/Automatic Rifle Bar, Expert Infantryman, Master Parachutist, Senior Parachutist, Parachutist, Royal Australian Army Parachutist Badge and Special Forces Tab.
He retired from the Army and moved to Lewes in 1998. He was recently employed with the State of Delaware, Department of Finance, State Lottery Office as a lottery specialist.
He was a toy train enthusiast, genealogist and enjoyed traveling with his family and beloved pets, Toby and Buddy throughout the states in his RV. He was a life member of Special Forces Association, Chapter 2; AmVets Post 22; American Legion Post 28; American Legion Riders Post 28; and VFW Post 7447. He was also a member of the Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540.
There will be a private entombment with military honors at Arlington Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, or Home of the Brave, 6632 Sharps Road, Milford, DE 19963. Please indicate in memory of Kirk A. Pope, Jr.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
