Gordon “Gordy” Dean Pope, 76, of Greenfield, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015, at his residence. He was born on May 9, 1939, in Indianapolis, as the son of Ralph C. and Florence Loretta (Collins) Pope.
He graduated from Greenfield High School in 1957. Mr. Pope received his bachelors in education from Butler University in 1963, then earned his master’s in HPR from Indiana University. Gordy married Joyce “Joy” (Fischer) on Feb. 10, 1962, in Greensburg.
Gordon was a sales representative for Jostens for 48 years and a member of the Josten’s Chairman’s Club. As of August 2015, Gordy and his sons have worked for a total of 100 years for Josten’s. He was the head boys’ basketball and baseball coach at Dover High School, the assistant boys’ basketball coach at Crawfordsville, and the boys’ basketball head coach for Triton Central. Mr. Pope was a 50 year member of both the Masonic Lodge #101 and the Elks Club, where he was the past Exalted Ruler. Gordy was also a member of the Scottish Rite and past president of the Greenfield Country Club. He was the president of the Butler B Mens and Hancock County Boys and Girls Club. Gordy was very active with sports all of his lifetime.
While in high school, he received five varsity letters in basketball, football, golf, track and baseball and even won the city tennis tournament. Gordy was honored to be in Butler’s Hall of Fame and Greenfield Central Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also a past board member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. He played basketball at Purdue for two years during his college years and then transferred to Butler. He played for the AAU Master’s Basketball for 45 years where he was a champion for many years. Mr. Pope enjoyed fishing, golf, basketball, hunting, and was an avid outdoorsman.
Gordy is survived by his wife, Joy Pope of Greenfield; sons, Jeff (Tammy Vangundy) Pope of Greenfield and Jason (Jan) Pope of McCordsville; sister, Cheryl (Curt) Eldridge; three grandchildren, Conner Pope, Calyn Pope, and Justin Pope.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph C. and Florence Loretta (Collins) Pope.
Visitation will be held from 3 – 8 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2015, at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2015, at the mortuary with viewing one hour prior to the service. Pastor Dave Galbraith will be officiating. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Greenfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent directly to Boys & Girls Club of Hancock County, 715 E Lincoln St, Greenfield, IN 46140 or envelopes will be available at the mortuary.
Friends may share a memory or send a condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].
