George A. Pope

George A. Pope, of Bay City, passed away early Wednesday morning June 15, 2011 at his residence, age 65. He was born March 11, 1946 in Midland. George served with the US Army 1st Airborne Green Berets during Vietnam, where he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star. He was formerly employed by GoTo Transport in Bay City. George was a member of the F.O.P. in Bay City and the American Legion in Grand Rapids and was a former member of the Michigan Steelheaders. He was an avid deer hunter, fisherman, bowling and golf and also coached bowling and golf. George is survived by his wife, Neva M. Pope; three children, Bert (Candy) Snellenberger of Florida, Travis Snellenberger of Bay City and Tonya (Leo Sr.) Carlisle of Bay City; seven grandchildren, Charles Lester, Leo Carlisle, Jr., Kevin Conyer, Christopher Carlisle, Chance Snellenberger, Adrianna Carlisle and Chalsea Snellenberger; one great-grandchild, Gaige Conyer; his mother, Madeline Carney of Wyoming, Michigan; mother-in-law, Sarah Snellenberger; and several brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. George was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, DeCoy & Gladys Pope; a brother, Virgil Pope; and his father-in-law, Bert Snellenberger. The funeral service will take place at 12:00pm on Friday June 17, 2011 at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. & Cremation Services. Interment will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the U.S. Army and Bay County Veterans Council. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 2:00 to 9:00pm and on Friday from 11:00am until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the wishes of the family.