Thomas Irby Pope III, age 86 passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at his childhood home in Marion, Alabama . Irby was born on 1 September 1937 in Sylacauga Alabama to Thomas Irby Pope Jr. and Opal Tinney Pope. He graduated from Bibb County High School. He served in the United States Army as both an enlisted infantryman and as an Aviation Officer. He attended Auburn University, Marion Military Institute and graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in English. Later, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Economics and English from Auburn University at Montgomery. During his time in service, he served two combat tours in Vietnam as well as assignments in Germany and South Korea. He retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1984. After his retirement, he spent his time traveling, sailing and also taught at Marion Military Institute. He is survived by his wife Nina Hobson Pope and his five children from his first marriage to Earline Logan Pope. His daughter Allison Pope Tims (John) and four sons, Thomas Irby Pope IV (Teresa), Louis Paul Pope, John Tinney Pope (Rachel) and James Hartman Pope (Leah). He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Payton Pope, Emma Pope, John Andrew Pope, Louis Pope, and Walker Pope.
A visitation was held Wednesday, June 5 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at St Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church, 104 Clements St, Marion, Alabama 36756. A funeral service was held Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 12:00 PM, Marion,, Alabama. A burial followed on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at St Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were Thomas Irby Pope IV, John Tinney Pope, John Andrew Pope, Louis Paul Pope, Matthew Stewart, John Richmond Webb, Stanley Horan Webb, John Tims, James Jenkins, Joe Bob Pierce, Garrett Stancil, Ramsey Knight, John Anderson, Sam Givhan, Walter Givhan and Dr. Shane Lee. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Saint Wilfrid’s Cemetery Fund at 104 Clements St. Marion, Al 36756.
