John Robert Pope, 80, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, August 23, 2025 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following a short illness.

Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Private burial with full Military rites will take place Thursday, August 28th at 10:00 AM, at the Millersburg Cemetery.

John was born January 22, 1945, in Marengo, the son of Lloyd and Margaret (Healey) Pope. He graduated from Deep River-Millersburg, class of 1963. John was drafted and proudly served in the Army from 1966 to 1968. John was honored to participate on the May 21, 2019, Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to Washington DC with his brother Bill and Dennis, Allan, Willie and Gaylord Kuennen.

On July 11, 1970, John was united in marriage to Connie (Soukup) Arens, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Spillville, Iowa. To this union they have 3 wonderful children, Scott, Penny and Heather.

John spent 35 years as a Department Manager at K-Mart before his retirement and then for the Cedar Rapids School System as a custodian for 10 years.

John enjoyed spending time with his family. This was his greatest joy. His hobbies included traveling, especially to Germany, sports of any kind (especially watching CJ's softball), hunting and fishing.

At the end, John met with each Child and Grandchild, telling them how proud he was of their accomplishments and words of encouragement. Words they will remember for the rest of their lives.

John is survived by his children, Scott (Tanya) Pope, Penny (Greg) Mara, Heather (Tom) Barbee. Grandchildren, John, Emily, Keegan, Bailey, Courtney (Wesley), Marcella, Kyler, Amery, Curran, Kelsey, Cole, Tyler and Carly. Great-Grandchildren, Carsen, Grayson and Maverick. Brothers, Leroy (Vicki), Bill, Tom (Barb) and Terry (Deb). Sisters, Janet (Dennis) Kuennen and Sheila Bills.  Also, Aunt Doris Oldaker and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

John is preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Margaret Pope, brother Paul and sister Kay Beinhart nephews Stephen and Joseph, daughter in law Angela Pope, niece Denene Kuennen and Brother-in-law, Buddy Bills.