Jerry Wayne Pope Sr.

Mr. Jerry Wayne Pope Sr., age 82, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at his son's residence in Dawson, Georgia.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Leslie City Cemetery. Rev. Marty Dillon will officiate.

Born on November 6, 1943, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Jerry was the son of the late Charles Ernest Pope and Naomi Stover Pope. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. After leaving the Marine Corps, he worked for Zapata Offshore Company as a Senior Inventory Specialist. Although his career required him and his family to relocate frequently, they spent much of that time in Mississippi. In 1986, after leaving Zapata, he moved his family to Georgia, where he worked as a Logistics and Traffic Manager for several transportation companies until his retirement.

Jerry was a devoted Christian, a loving husband, and a dedicated father. He was an avid gardener who enjoyed tending his gardens and maintaining a small farm. He was well known for his enthusiastic conversations about gardening and took great pleasure in sharing his knowledge with family and friends. He also loved photography and treasured capturing memories of family, friends, and the many places he traveled. His camera was rarely far from his side.

Jerry was Baptist by faith. In his later years, although he was no longer able to attend church services, he faithfully continued to tithe to First Free Will Baptist Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. To all his nieces and nephews, he was affectionately known as "Uncle Buzz."

He is survived by his daughter, Opal Marie Ellis (Matthew) of Richmond Hill, Georgia; two sons, Jerry Wayne Pope Jr. of Dawson, Georgia, and John Preston Pope (Staci) of Jacksonville, Florida; one sister, Wanda Sue Hudson of Vera, Oklahoma; and one brother, John A. Pope of Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Billy Farmer, Senoria Gibson, Christian Keen-Spencer, Matthew Keen, Reese Cruse, Samantha Cruse, Stephanie Cruse-Anoka, Zachary Ellis, Logan Ellis, Levi Pope, Jensen Pope, Audrey Pope, Riley Pope, Ashton Pope, and Jace Pope; as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley Ann Pope; his daughters, Senoria "Cindy" Farmer and Pamela Pope Cruse; and several brothers and sisters.

Though he will be deeply missed, Jerry's legacy of love, kindness, faith, and devotion to his family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.