Norman D. Pope

Norman D. Pope, 76, of Walla Walla and formerly of La Grande, died March 1 at the Walla Walla General Hospital.

Funeral services will begin at noon Thursday at the First Christian Church in Milton-Freewater with Pastor Duane Geyer officiating.

Graveside services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Rosedale Cemetery in Payette, Idaho, with Pastor Ralph Pearson officiating. Friends who wish to pay their respects may call at the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home today from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

Norman was born June 27, 1932, to Avery and Anna Lee Mahala Pope in North Fork, N.C. He grew up in North Fork, attending schools there. He then joined the U.S. Army on Sept. 26, 1952, serving during the Korean War. While serving in the Army he received the National Defense Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and the United Nations Service Medal.

After his discharge from the service on Sept. 23, 1955, he returned to North Fork. Upon his return, Norman finished his schooling, graduating from high school. He came to Oregon in 1960. On Nov. 6, 1964, he married Pauline McConkey in Winnemucca, Nev. He worked at a lumber mill in Dillard and the Washau Mill in Payette before relocating to La Grande in 1966. There he worked for Boise Cascade at the particleboard plant. He continued to work for Boise Cascade, working his way up through many positions before retiring as production supervisor in 1984. He took a lot of pride in his work and made many longtime friends.

Norman really enjoyed fishing until his health prevented him from getting out as much. He was very involved with and enjoyed his grandchildren, watching them in their various sporting events. Norman was an avid North Carolina Tar Heels fan. He loved basketball, but enjoyed watching football and other sports. He took great care growing tomatoes and was really delighted in having the first ripe tomato of the season.

Despite numerous health issues, those who knew Norman say his attitude was to never give up. Norman was a 33-year survivor of throat cancer. He was a member of the La Grande Christian Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4567 in Milton-Freewater.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline Pope at the home; step-son and his wife, Dennis and Tammie McConkey of Spokane; three stepdaughters and their husbands, Ginger and Steve Schlegel of Union, Susie and Ed Solbach of San Pedro, Calif., and Annette and Dennis Martel of Burlington, Vt.; four sisters, Margaret Norris of Winchester, Va., Doris Belfield of LaPalta, Md., Jackie Masten of Easley, S.C., and Nora Dare Cole of Greenville, S.C.; a stepsister, Magalee Caldwell of Galveston, Texas; three brothers, Charlie Pope of Oxford, Pa., and Bryce Pope and Joseph Pope, both of Newcastle, Del.; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4567 in care of the funeral home.

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