C. Dale Pope - Obituary
C. Dale Pope, 73, of Merritt Island, Florida, passed away on Friday, March 15, 2013. The younger of two children, Dale was born in Vick, Arkansas. The family moved to Warren where he graduated from high school. He later earned his industrial engineering degree from the University of Arkansas. Upon graduation, he moved to Florida to pursue a career in aerospace. In 1965 he signed on with NASA at the Kennedy Space Center where he had a rewarding career beginning with the Apollo program. He earned his MBA from the University of Central Florida and concluded his career with NASA during the Space Shuttle program. After his retirement in 1997, he continued volunteering with NASA as a VIP escort for launches and landings. He said that the most exciting time in his life was the four years he spent on a special assignment with the FBI.
Dale met the love of his life, Suzanne Baker, in 1981. They enjoyed traveling around the world together. Dale lived an active life as an avid surfer, fisherman, and diver. His love of gardening was enjoyed by all. Every spring his friends and family looked forward to all the delicious tomatoes and peppers from his garden. He was also a history buff who enjoyed learning about the Civil War and antique guns. He was known to his friends for his clever sense of humor and playing little jokes on them.
Dale has always had a generous heart. He will be remembered by those whom he has helped over the years. He has assisted his nieces in pursuing their education, has stepped in on many occasions to be a father figure to young people and has helped the community by being a great supporter of the Salvation Army and Goodwill. Dale will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents Carl Bernard Pope and Vernie Maysell Smith Pope. He is survived by his love of 32 years, Suzanne Baker of Merritt Island, FL; his sister, Mary Gann of Little Rock, AR; nephew Randall Wayne Williams of Conway, AR; niece Libby (Williams) Baxley (Roy) of Sheridan, AR; nephew Steven Dale Gann (Judith) of Port St. Lucie, FL; great-niece Kelly (Baxley) Vaught (Eric) of Hickory Ridge, AR; great-nephew Robert Baxley of Sheridan, AR; great-niece Amanda (Gann) Davenport (Brad) of Columbus, GA; great-niece Holly Gann of Washington D.C.; great-nephew Steven Gann Jr. of Port St. Lucie, FL.; great-great nieces and nephews Sam Vaught, Baxley Vaught, Sawyer Vaught, Gavin Baxley and Gracie Davenport.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 21st at Unity Church of Merritt Island located at 4725 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, FL 32953.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CHDC Volunteer Services, Att: Sally Sellers, 150 E. Siebenmorgen Road, Conway, AR 72032 or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
April 13, 2013
Rosalie Bianco
Blessings of all shapes and sizes as Dale continues his journey into the Light that he Is. And to you Susanne, may you take comfort in the knowing that you and I are with him in that Light. We are with him and he is with us.
March 27, 2013
Dixie Dyer
Susie I am so sorry for your loss. I have been thinking about you everyday, glad your family was able to be there for you. May God bless you with peace and comfort. Blessings
Dixie Dyer
March 26, 2013
Marlene Satterthwaite
Suzanne--I have such fond memories of Dale while we worked together as volunteers touring and escorting the astronaut familes. He was so much fun and always the perfect gentleman....we will miss him....he was such a great guy! So sorry to hear he has left us -- my prayers and condolences!
March 26, 2013
Dorman Woodall
Dale and I were high school classmates in Warren. I saw Dale from time to time at our WHS class reunions. The last time I saw him was in October of 2007. We spent some time together then, more than usual, and I enjoyed his company very much. I will miss Dale.
March 24, 2013
Dale was kind gentleman to work with. I know after retirement he remained a strong supporter of the Shuttle Program. Jim Johnson
March 23, 2013
Suzanne, I am so sorry for your loss. He was such a great person to work with at Kennedy. He assisted me on several occasions in scheduling training events into the LCC. Our prayers are with you and family members
Bet Eldred (Merritt Island, FL).
March 22, 2013
Karin Biega
Dale was one of the nicest guy I ever worked with at NASA; he taught me so much about the Shuttle Program and how to share it with our guests. Sending you prayers Suzanne.
March 22, 2013
Susie: Prayers are with you all at this time. I am so sorry for your loss. Just remember that Dale was a friend to all, and take comfort with all your memories of him! He will be missed! I am sorry I was unable to attend the memorial service.
Bill Wilson former NASA IT member
March 21, 2013
Billie Gabriel
Suzanne, having just returned from Dales memorial service it is so clear that he had many good friends. You do too, and we all send love and light as you handle your loss in your own way. Billie and Gabe Gabriel, Scott and Mary Gabriel and Sue and Mike Ebey
March 21, 2013
Delores Abraham
Dale was a kind human being, always there to offer his support to our NASA Guest Operations Team, he will be missed.
Delores Abraham
March 20, 2013
Donna Whitaker Cairnes
Suzanne,
My prayers are with you; may God give you peace. You know that Dale was like a brother to me and I shall miss him so very much. As you know he was a wonderful person with great values, sense of humor and always giving to others. I was 12 the first time I meet him. Jeff and I will see you at the memorial service.
Love,
Donna Whitaker Cairnes
March 20, 2013
Susie - I am so sorry for your loss. Be assured you are surrounded with much love from all your family and friends, and may you find comfort in God's loving arms. Mary Sumner
March 19, 2013
Tommy Corbett
Dale was always cheerful and humorous and possessed an amazingly quick wit. He was always the go-to guy for help in resolving LPS issues.
March 19, 2013
Gay Monroe
Dearest Suzanne,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved, Dale. He was such a nice, special, handsome and smart man. I am so happy you got to go to Italy with him to see the sights and enjoy yourselves as well as other travels. I am happy you had many shared years together. You made a lot of memories including the arrangement of my wedding. I know your sorrow is great in his absence. Let me know if I can be of any assistance to you.
Your friend and Loving Sister in Jesus, Gay Monroe
March 19, 2013
Dale was invaluable to the Protocol team in Guest Operations. For years as a volunteer his poise, his demeanor and all around good cheer were so appreciated by the team as well as the guests. Rose Rayfield
March 19, 2013
Dayl Kumpa
Sending you loving thoughts at this tender time. When looking at the other entries to this guest book, and knowing who you are, I am not surprised that Dale was so honored and beloved. Daylight
March 18, 2013
Bennie Bell
Suzanne, I am so sorry to hear about Dale. We worked together during the LPS days. It was a happy time, with many good memories. I am sure anyone that worked or knew Dale will tell you the same. He will be missed, and I know you will miss him most of all. Thinking of you.....
March 18, 2013
Paula Langguth Ryan
My heart is full - I can see Dale's beaming, smiling face now. What a gift he has been in this world. My arms are circling you, Suzanne, in a great big hug, full of all of God's love.
March 18, 2013
Joanne Pietrocola
Dale was one of the kindest, most unselfish, and caring human beings I've ever met. Not only could you always count on him to help, but seeing him at KSC was such a pleasure. When both of us worked launches, he would always stop by to say hello. He certainly was a wonderful person and will surely be missed!
March 18, 2013
Judy Barnhart
Thank you for this. He will be missed and all really is well and the comfort is in knowing he is closer to you now than ever. Hope to see you on the 21st to celebrate his life.
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