Orville Francis Pope

Orville (Sonny) Francis Pope

December 22, 1930 – September 3, 2018

                Orville (Sonny) Francis Pope was born December 22, 1930 in Greeley, Co.  He passed away peacefully at home in Rio Rancho, NM on September 3, 2018, surrounded by his family.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Lloyd Pope and Gertrude Ruby Cole, brothers William (Bill) and David, wife Velma and daughter Harriet.  He is survived by his sisters Dorothy Davis and Marilyn Joyce Melroy, brother Stanley Pope, daughters Barbara Lane, Catherine Delmos, Dorothy Radica and son George Pope, grandchildren Elizabeth Schumaier, Jennifer Scheller, Robert Maxwell, Staci Radica, Candyce Miller, Ronni Martin, Michael Taylor, Dana Brewer, Christopher Pope, Anthony (Tony) Pope and Kelley Pope, 21 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. 

                Sonny and Velma were married in Ogden, Ut on January 15, 1954.  They moved to California in 1955 and then to New Mexico in 1993 when he retired.  They moved back to Utah in 2009.  When Velma passed away in 2009, he moved back to New Mexico.  He loved woodworking and making things for his family and friends.  His favorite times were spent with his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great granddaughter, watching movies from his collection or listening to music.  He loved the holidays, especially 4th of July and Halloween, which gave him the opportunity to gather everyone together for a BBQ and fun.  He left us all with many fond memories and will forever be in our hearts.