John W. Popp, Jr.

John W. Popp Jr. went home to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at 11:55 pm Thursday, July 7, 2016. His wife, family and pastors were gathered praying and singing John’s favorite hymns at his home. John was born November 6, 1935 to John and Irene Popp at Southeast Missouri Hospital, Cape Girardeau, MO. He graduated from Central High School, class of 1954. He attended Southeast Missouri State College and later graduated from Oklahoma A&M in Okmulgee, OK with an associates degree in Agriculture. On May 18, 1957 John married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Daniels, at First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau, where both were members. John’s first job took him and his bride to Amite, Louisiana, where he was a farm manager for a Dairy and Tongue Grove operation. Later they moved to the Oak Ridge, MO community and rented a farm where he raised a large flock of sheep, Angus cattle, hogs, and field crops from 1957-1968. Popp was proud to be a part of the US Naval Reserve Unit in Cape Girardeau, where he received an honorable discharge after 8 years of service. John was a chemist at Trojan Powder Co. from 1966-1968. He then was hired as a manager at Procter & Gamble. He and his family spent one year in Cheboygan, MI (June 1968-69) while training to open the Pampers plant in Cape Girardeau. Mr. Popp worked for P&G from 1968-1984. In 1984 he started the Independence Public Warehouse in Cape Girardeau and the Lee Avenue Warehouse in Jackson. He also served as the President and managed Georgell Properties, Inc. He retired from business life in June 2006. At that time he returned to his real joy; gardening at a small acreage in the Gordonville area. John was a member of Gideon International, Cape Girardeau camp and on the Board of Directors for Teen Challenge International Mid-America of Cape Girardeau, where he served several terms as VP and a member of the Corporate Board. He was an active member of First Baptist Church Jackson since 1974. He served on numerous committees, including the education building committee from 1985-86. He was a dedicated teacher in Sunday School. He began teaching at First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge where he taught elementary age boys. He later continued teaching 4th grade Sunday School, with his wife Barbara, for over 25 years at First Baptist Jackson. John was a faithful participant of Wednesday evening prayer meetings and went on several mission trips and also was a strong supporter of his wife’s mission endeavors. John was a loving husband to Barbara for 59 blessed years of marriage. Barbara survives along with their three children: Steve (Terri) Popp of Jackson; David (Aimee) Popp of O’Fallon, IL; Betsy (Norman) Schultz of Charlotte, NC. A sister, Cathi Popp Smith of Baton Rouge, LA and nine grandchildren: Blake Popp of Jackson; Jamie Popp Kiefer (Brian) of Jackson; Capt. Norman Popp stationed at RAF Mildenhall, England; Earl (Caleigh) Popp of Lubbock, TX; DJ Popp (Courtney) of Minot, ND; Matt Popp of Dyersburg, TN; Amelia Popp of Jackson; Elliott Schultz and Ian Schultz both of Charlotte, NC. Five great grandchildren: London, Sydney and Kaleb Popp; Even and Owen Kiefer all of Jackson. Visitation will be held at Jackson First Baptist Church, Monday, July 11 from 4 to 8 pm. A memorial service will be officiated by Pastor Lucas Clabough at Jackson First Baptist Church, Tuesday, July 12 at 11 am. A graveside service will be held at Memorial Park at a later date. The family suggests memorial donations be given to: Gideon International Cape Girardeau Camp, Teen Challenge International Mid-America of Cape Girardeau or Jackson First Baptist Church, Mission Fund.

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John W. Popp, Jr.

November 6, 1935 - July 7, 2016