Vernon Roger Pope

Vernon Roger Pope, age 84, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 27, 2025 after a difficult battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was born on the family farm to Orville Guy Frances Pope and Mollie Ruth (Honeycutt) Pope. Vernon had two older sisters and one younger brother which created a loving Christian farm family.

Vernon loved sports and was very active in FFA. He graduated from Loyal High School in 1959 as a Loyal “Pirate”. He then went to Central State College, where he received a degree in Education and earned his Masters degree in 1966.

He spent 26 years in education with the Department of Interior working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Vernon enjoyed raising cattle and was well recognized for his breeding program of Homozygous Black Limousin Cattle and was an active member of the North American Limousin Association. He also farmed wheat for most of his life and strived to raise quality seed and to improve the land for future generations. He took pride in leaving things better than how he found them.

Vernon married the love of his life, Arlene Ruth Winter, on June 16, 1963 and enjoyed 62 years of marriage. They loved to travel to new places here and abroad when they could.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents Orville and Ruth Pope of Okeene; sister Wahneta Stebens and husband Gerald of Loyal, and sister Shirley Reiss of Springhill, KS.

He is survived by his loving wife Arlene Ruth (Winter) Pope; son Monte Pope of Edmond; daughter Tammy Pope Unruh and husband Darrin of Henryetta; and youngest son Kerry Pope of Edmond; granddaughter Abigail (Unruh) Bell and husband Andrew and great grandson Hudson of Salina, KS.; grandson Justin Unruh of Henryetta; and brother Jerry Pope and wife Ann of Woodward. He was also survived by numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces and their families.

Visitation for Vernon will be held 10AM – 5PM on Saturday, January 3, 2025, at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home, with family present from 2-5PM. Funeral service for Vernon will be held 10AM Monday, January 5, 2025, at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, followed by the graveside service 2:30PM at Bierig Cemetery ( 4 miles north and 1 mile east of Okeene, Oklahoma).

Memorial contributions may be made in Vernon’s name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA). Donations can be made online at lbda.org or mailed to the association’s office: 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047.”

To view Vernon's Funeral Service please visit the link below:

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