David Pope

David Henry Pope, 72, of Orlando, Florida, passed away on September 6, 2021 from complications of COVID, and was fortunate to be surrounded by his children in his final moments.
He was born to parents Armon David Pope and Barbara Estelle Lowe Pope, on March 18, 1949 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Dave grew up in Orlando, Florida and graduated from William R. Boone High School in 1967. Dave was also an Eagle Scout, an honor he earned in 1965. In 2016, after his retirement from the Orlando Utilities Commission, where he worked for 41 years, ending his career as Lead Lab Technician at OUC's Stanton Energy Center, Dave received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida. He was very proud to be a Florida Gator and people who knew him know that he was rarely seen without his signature UF hat and shirt. Dave was also a part-time police officer from 1978 to 1993 serving with the Orlando Police Department and ending his law enforcement career as a reserve officer for the Winter Park Police Department.
Dave is survived by his brother, Paul Pope (Cathy Pope); his three (3) children: Kristina Michelle Beis (Eddie Beis), David Edward Pope and Rachel Leah Churchill; and his five (5) grandchildren: Alexander "Xander" Noah Beis (age 14), Layla Corinne Pope (age 14), Alice Sophia Churchill (age 10), Veronica Leigh Beis (age 9) and Austin James Churchill (age 5), as well as nephews, nieces, great nieces, cousins, and many other extended relatives. He is predeceased by his granddaughter, Rylee Ashtyn Mahan (2001); his father, Armon David Pope (2006); his sister, Cynthia Pope Jones (2016); and his mother, Barbara Estelle Lowe Pope (2021), who passed away a mere 25 days before her oldest son and 2 days before her 100th birthday.
Dave was a proud member of the Free & Accepted Masons and an active Shriner, as well as the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity where he shared his brotherhood in all three with his son, David. He loved to spend time working on and racing his Formula Ford Race Car. Dave was also the lead singer in his band, The Chosen Few, which he had been a part of with different band members since high school. He loved to participate in 5K races with his daughters, Kristina and Rachel, and was looking forward to live RunDisney races returning to Disney this November. Dave loved going to Disney and enjoyed taking his kids and grandkids with him whenever he could sneak them away.
Dave's favorite pastime, and what gave him the most joy, was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren who were truly the light of his life. Dave made an impression wherever he went and was loved by many. His loss will be felt throughout the racing community, in his Fraternity, with his Masonic brothers, with all of the friends he made throughout his amazing 72 years, and most of all, with the family that loved him unconditionally.
A celebration of Dave's life will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in a graveside service that will be available to the public at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery, located at 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734 following a private visitation with family at Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home.