John A. Pope

Mr. John Armstrong Pope
Retired Banker

John Armstrong Pope, 88, entered into rest on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Augusta. He was born in Augusta on September 25, 1926 to the late Frederick Brenner and Anne Postell Pope. He was married to the former Joan Ruth Byrd for sixty-three years.

John was a graduate of the Academy of Richmond County, American Institute of Banking, and attended the Kerpel Dental School in New York, NY. Mr. Pope served in the United States Navy during World War II on the island of Saipan. The majority of his professional career was with the Georgia Railroad Bank & Trust Company and First Union Bank, where he served more than thirty-three years, retiring as a Vice President. He also served as President and director of the Association of the United States Army, Sertoma Club, Quarter Century Club, President’s Club of Georgia Railroad Bank & Trust Company as well as acting in various capacities with the National Mortgage Bankers Association, Chamber of Commerce of Greater Augusta, Junior Achievement, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and the United Fund.

In his retirement, John remained active in banking, enjoyed traveling, researching the history of war, and clearing fallen trees from his properties with his various tools and chain saws. He enjoyed his early mornings, walking his dogs, Fannie 1 and Fannie 2 around the lake, making sure that all was in order. John could yarn a tale, whistle a tune, and had a wicked sense of humor - often called “the Pope sense of humor”. He was always ready for an affectionate “boofie” from his children and grandchildren. He was strong of heart, strong in resolve, a true Southern gentleman – the epitome of the “greatest generation”

John is pre-deceased by sons John Armstrong Pope, Jr. and Christopher Joseph Pope; sisters Catherine Pope Armstrong and Caroline Pope Messer; and brother Frederick Brenner Pope, Jr. He is survived by wife Joan; daughters and sons-in-law, Frances and David Connor of Harlem, GA and Patricia and Barry White of Augusta; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Cheryl Pope of Panama City, FL; seven grandchildren Elizabeth Gary Ruegger (Peter), Mary Frances Gary, Thomas Reeder Gary III (Talise), Kathleen Fackler Ennis (Justin), Patrick Byron Fackler (Lauren), Chandler Belle White, Mason Brenner Pope; four great-grandchildren and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be nephews Richard Z. Craig, Jr., Daniel J. Craig, Roland G. Craig, Edward P. Armstrong, William M. Messer, and Billy J. Folger.


The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, January 23, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, 4921 Columbia Road, Grovetown, GA 30813.

In lieu of flowers, you may make contributions to Trees for Augusta, www.TreesForAugusta.org or mail to Trees for Augusta, PO Box 40084 Augusta, GA, 30909.

The Holy Rosary will be prayed Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. at Thomas Poteet & Sons Funeral Home, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, GA 30907.