Obituary: Pope, Donald Stephen
Age 61
Don was born March 26, 1952.
He was the fourth child of Stephen and Margaret Pope.
He attended Jefferson Elementary School.
He graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1970.
Don attended Spokane Community College specializing in their welding program.
He worked for Kaiser Aluminum-Mead Plant for twenty-seven years.
On September 17, 1988 he married Rebecca (Becky) Birge.
They enjoyed nearly twenty-five blissful years of marriage.
Don was a simple, humble, “self-made man.”
He was a “Jack-of-all-trades” and created a “palace” for the home that they have shared all their married life.
Don shared his craftsman ability with many that crossed his path.
Don and Becky loved the ocean.
They traveled from the Florida Keys to the Oregon Coast and beyond.
Hawaii was by far their favorite destination.
Don was diagnosed with heart disease in 2005.
He lived much longer than expected.
His heart simply wore out.
He was preceded in death by his father, Stephen; brother, Bob; sister, Judy; and sister-in-law, Mary Freitag.
He is survived by his loving wife, Becky; mother, Margaret; sister, Marge Grundhaus; daughter, Jennifer Harp; and four grandchildren.
He is also survived by his in-laws, Beckie and Gene Birge; Ann and David Rickey; Michael Birge; Chris and Rita Birge; David and Shelly Birge; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was loved by them all.
A Rosary will be held at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home, Division Street, Spokane, Washington, on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Requiem Mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Spokane, Washington at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, July 27, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, Spokane, Washington.
“Don, you will be missed by all, but mostly by your soul-mate, best friend and wife, Becky.
Until we meet again…”