Thomas Pope

Thomas “Tom” Pope, 90, of Sioux City, passed away Saturday, December 29 at Holy Spirit Retirement Home, after a brief illness. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, January 3 at 10:00 A.M. at St Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Tom was born at home on March 29, 1928, the 7th of 11 children to Frank and Anna Maria (Naso) Poppe. He grew up in the Italian neighborhood of the lower east side (8th and Steuben Streets) but welcomed his multi-cultural neighborhoods surrounding them. Many colorful characters and stories enriched his life. As a young boy and teenager, his nickname was “il Duce” (the Duke, the leader, the dictator). Later in the Navy, at the ripe age of 17, he once boasted he was going to have “Mussolini” tattooed across his chest to fulfill his nickname. Thankfully, a cooler and wiser buddy discouraged his choice. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in early 1945 (after lying about his age), and completed basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station, Illinois. Troop trains transported them to San Francisco, then shipboard onto Japan where he served as a part of the allied occupying forces in Japan. He was honorably discharged in June 1946 having attained the rank of coxswain. Upon returning from service, he completed his high school education, graduating in 1947 from Trinity. Following employment times at Swifts and S.C. Foundry, he began a job at Sieg-Sioux City where he met Frances Rohlk. They married May 26, 1951, and from this union bore 3 children- Tom, Becky and Jim. Frances passed away in 2009. Tom began his career at Great Northern Railroad (B.N) in 1950, retiring in 1990. Throughout his life, he was always in demand for his “fix-it” and building skills, always welcoming a challenge. In fact, he was working on a last repair 3 weeks ago, and had a few more waiting. Top on the list for enjoyment was gathering together with all his family, whether a few or 50. And fishing trips were a priority, primarily at “the lake” nor longer trips to the Missouri River dams of South Dakota. A great number of nephews and nieces went home from “the lake” with fishing rods and fishing lessons. Hard and abundant work were his motto, and he valued honesty and integrity. If someone was down, you helped them up. Family was most important. You were loyal to your friends. Those left to honor his memory include his children: Tom (Lori) of Lincoln, NE, Becky Pope of New Market, MN, and Jim of Sioux City; most beloved granddaughter: Kendra Ann Pope of Lincoln, NE; brother, Frank Pope of NE; sisters: Josie (Frank) Blair of Sioux City, Kate Codina of Sioux City, Mary (John Jr,) Corio of Jefferson, SD; brother-in-law, Gene Bostic of North Carolina; numerous nieces and nephews; great and great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 58 years, Frances; sisters: Rose (Fred) Bocian, Amelia (Angelo) Scursso, Annie Bostic; brothers: Nick (Catherine), Pat (Helen) Pope, and John (Gladys) Pope; sister-in-law Irene Pope and brother-in-law Phil Codina.