Ronnie Lynn Pope

We are saddened to announce the passing of Ronnie Lynn Pope.  He was born on May 19, 1955, in Purcell, Oklahoma to Delbert G. Pope and Sue Jane Chenoweth Pope, who preceded him in death.  He passed in San Diego, California on April 5, 2023, after a prolonged illness.  He is survived by Erica L. Pope, Jackson W.T. Pope, brothers Gary, Rex and Kevin Pope and other family and friends.

Ronnie served twenty-four years in the United States Air Force as a Missile and Space System Maintenance Crew Chief, retiring as a Master Sergeant.  He completed his USAF career as a START Treaty Inspector at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, traveling to Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine in support of US National security goals for nuclear nonproliferation.  He later worked for the Department of Defense as a civilian in nuclear weapon security under the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program.  Ronnie completed numerous trainings in the USAF, including the Senior NCO Academy and worked hard to complete his bachelor’s degree in business in night school.  He was awarded many medals in addition to the Air Force Achievement Medal, Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

Ronnie spent his childhood primarily in Oklahoma and loved to hunt and fish and ride the trains on the weekend with Nanny and Pa.  He was a good marksman and as a missileer, loved a great explosion!  He collected coins and loved hot tamales.  Ronnie was a wonderful cook, famous for his ice cream French toast, homemade noodle and chicken soup and fried chicken.  He traveled the world through his life, flying over a million miles and particularly loved Germany and Iceland.  He adored his children and gave the best presents, loving a big Christmas.  Ronnie had a great sense of humor.

Ronnie was a patriot who lived by the motto of “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him”. 

A Memorial Service to honor Ronnie’s life and military service will be held at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA on April 24, 2023, at 9AM. 

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