John Michael "Mike" Pope

John Michael “Mike” Pope, died peacefully with family by his side on March 13th, 2024. Mike was born on June 13th, 1963 to Agatha Ann Pope and John Henry Pope Jr. in Port Saint Joe, Florida.

Mike attended high school in Smyrna, Georgia then joined the US Marine Corp in 1981 and served honorably for 11 years. He was primarily in motor transport in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Okinawa Japan, Hawaii, and on numerous deployments including the response to the 1983 Beirut bombings of Marine Corp barracks, the 1990-1991 Gulf War in addition to multiple 1980’s NATO exercises.

After his time in the service, he turned to big rig truck driving and moved to Ironton, Missouri with his family for many years. Along the way, he enjoyed many hobbies including honing his skills as an avid shade tree mechanic, fixing up numerous cars, go-carts, an old Studebaker truck and anything else with a motor. He also enjoyed horse-back riding, camping, river floats with family and close friends from his Marine Corp days, and video games. Mike later relocated to the Pensacola, Florida area in 2006 where he continued with his love of mechanics and added motorcycling to his enjoyment of the open road.

Mike Pope was a caring and kind man at heart. He was generous to family, friends and neighbors along the way, and had an adventurous side, especially where the mechanics and outdoor activities were involved. His presence will be missed by the many lives he touched during his lifetime.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, John Henry Pope Jr.

He is survived by his mother, Agatha Blake, dad George Blake Sr., sons, Michael Alexander Pope and Jacob Pope, brothers, Tim Pope and George Blake Jr., sister, Ida Grace Blake, nieces, Leslie Marsh (Tyler), Samantha Hill (Tighe), Leanne Blake, McKenzie and Trinity, nephews Matthew Pope (Ann), Austin Blake, great nieces Taylor and Zooey, great nephew Mason, and many other aunts, uncles and cousins.

A graveside service will be held at 2 PM eastern time on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 at Holly Hill Cemetery in Port Saint Joe, Florida.

Arrangements are entrusted to the caring staff of Comforter Funeral Home in Port St. Joe, Florida.