Walter Vergil Pope

Died: Oct. 30, 2012

KINGSPORT -- Retired Colonel Walter Vergil Pope, age 85, of Kingsport, passed away Tuesday at Indian Path Medical Center.

Walter was born in Bristol, graduated from Tennessee High School, and attended Georgia Tech University.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1950 and was a graduate of Officer Candidate School.

In 1953, he left active duty, at which time he co-founded Pope-Robinette Insurance Agency with his brother-in-law, I.H. Robinette Jr.

He became commander of the 639th Transportation Corps Reserve Unit in Kingsport, leading them to active duty to Fort Meade, Md., in 1961. He remained on active duty until retirement in 1978.

Walter received numerous awards while in active service, most notably the Distinguished Member of the Transportation Corps Regiment by order of the Secretary of the Army.

He was a member of Kingsport Sertoma Club, where he took great pride and pleasure in chairing the concession stand for the Appalachian District Fair for 30 years.

He was chairman of Providence Cemetery Committee for nearly 15 years.

Walter was a member of Colonial Heights United Methodist Church.

He was a great man, soldier, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He has left his family and future generations a great legacy.

His family celebrates his life and homecoming, knowing there was great rejoicing from above.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Franklin and Nell Cole Pope.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years: Sue Robinette Pope; his daughters: Tanya Pope Samples, and Mona Pope Sitton and husband, Stephen; his grandchildren: Jennifer Samples, Kristina Sitton Crosetto, Hayley Sitton Satrom, and Andrew Samples; his great-grandchildren: Noah Crosetto, Sophia Crosetto, and Hannah Sue Satrom; his sister: Audrey Pope Whittamore; and his nieces: Vickie Whittamore Massey and Kathy Whittamore Broce.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Marion Robinette Primitive Baptist Church with the Rev. John Arnott officiating. He will lie in state from 1-2 p.m.

Burial will follow in the Providence Cemetery, on Hwy. 70, eight miles south of Rogersville. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Tennessee National Guard.

Memorial contributions can be made to Colonial Heights UM Church, 631 Lebanon Road, Kingsport, TN 37663, or Marion Robinette Primitive Baptist Church, or Providence Cemetery, c/o Ruth Robinette, Sleepy Hollow Road, Greeneville , TN 37743.

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.hamlettdobson.com.