February 6, 2026
James “Jim” Edward Pope, 91, went to be with his Lord on January 21, 2026.
For the past several years Jim was a resident of Woodland Oaks Nursing Facility. There he was known for his outgoing personality of saying “hey” to all and for his generous way of sharing his candy by lining it up and down the hallway on the hand railing for residents to enjoy.
Jim was a member of the Ashland Heights Wesleyan Church where he served and dedicated his life to numerous areas of ministry. He was known for his great outreach to children through his bus ministry to reach every boy and girl he could to know Jesus. His love and compassion for his church were not questioned nor was his love for his Lord.
He worked the majority of his life for Gibbs Hardware. He went out of his way to use his knowledge of electrical and plumbing to help anyone in need of these services outside of his daily job. He also was known for the years he gave to coaching little league baseball and being a father figure to those young boys.
Jim was preceded in death by his first wife Marilyn, married for 40 years, his second wife Mary, married for 30 years, as well as his parents Paul and Eunice Pope and two great granddaughters, Pazlie Rayne Loftis and Madeline Harris.
He is survived by his three children, Stephen (Lynn) Pope of North Carolina, Larry (Debi) Pope of North Carolina, and Donna (Bill) Owens of Greenup, Kentucky; grandchildren, Jason Pope and Jonathan Pope of Florida, Charity (Todd) Loftis of North Carolina, Jereme (Kristin) Pope of North Carolina, Sarah Castle of Greenup, Kentucky and Rachael (Charles) Erwin of Greenup, Kentucky, Shawn Owens of Ashland, Kentucky, Miranda Parsons of Ashland Kentucky; great grandchildren, Bryson (Cheyenne) Loftis, Lily Pope, Rose Pope, Mattie Westfall, Ian Erwin, Connor Erwin and Isabella Blevins; two great great grandsons, Weston Loftis and Carter Blevins.
Upon his marriage to his wife Mary, he added four stepchildren, Christi Wolf, Misty Grubb, Scott (Robin) Lagore and Denise Moore as well as seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
Mr. Pope has three siblings surviving, Mattie (Harold) Cooper of Ashland, Kentucky, David (Renate`) Pope of Texas, and Vanessa (Tim) Whitt of Tennessee.
Lazear Funeral Home will be assisting the family in funeral arrangements as follows: a church service for Jim will be conducted Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 12:30 P.M. at Ashland Wesleyan Heights Church in Ashland by Pastor Gene Swartz with entombment to follow in Rose Hill Burial Park. Friends may call at the Lazear Funeral Home Chapel in Ashland, Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 6 to 8 p.m. Those serving as pallbearers for Jim include Charles Erwin, Ian Erwin, Bryson Loftis, Todd Loftis, Jason Pope, Jereme Pope, and Jonathan Pope.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the memorial of Presents from Pazlie. Checks may be made out to Todd Loftis at 3482 Meadow Rock Road, Gibsonville, NC 27249.
Lazear Funeral Home is both honored and privileged to have been entrusted with the care of Mr. Pope.
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