THEODORE POPE, COCOA BEACH

Theodore R. Pope, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) born in Brooklyn New York November 12, 1921, went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, April 13, 2008. Raised in Queens New York, Ted attended Brooklyn Prep and Lehigh University before enlisting in the United States Air Force at the outbreak of World War II. A B-26 Marauder pilot, Ted flew 28 combat missions with the 394th Bomb Group and after the war was an aircraft commander of the first jet powered bomber, the Boeing B-47. Ted advanced to the rank of Lt. Col. and retired after 22 years of active duty.

Moving to Cocoa Beach in 1965, Ted worked another 29 years at the Kennedy Space Center where he retired as Division Safety Manager in 1995.

There was nothing Ted couldnt fix or build. He enjoyed keeping his collection of Jaguar automobiles running, golf, tennis, table tennis, boating and water skiing. His legacy is the love and respect that he earned as a husband, father and grandfather and he will remain in our hearts and lives forever.

Ted is survived by his lov ing wife Ann;, daughter Carol Palmer, husband Grady of Pembroke Pines, Florida, Ted Jr., wife Belinda of Tampa, Greg, wife Cathy of Valrico, Larry of St. Petersburg and Roger of Cape Canaveral; shared daughter, Lt. Col. Adriane Craig, husband Jim of Lorton, VA; shared son, Kayden Wood of Merritt Island; seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

A viewing will be held at Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home, 1360 N. Courtenay Pkwy., Merritt Island, FL on Thurs day, April 17th, from 5 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Church of Our Saviour of Cocoa Beach on Friday, April 18th, at 1 p.m., with burial at Florida Memorial Gardens, Rockledge.