Tommy A Pope

Thomas “Tommy” Allen Pope, 92, passed away on February 5, 2018 with his family by his side. 

Tommy was born February 2, 1926 in Meridian, Idaho to Alva Otis Pope and Emma Martha Duspiva. He graduated from Melba High School in Melba, Idaho in 1944 in a class of only 16 seniors.

Shortly after graduation, Tommy served in the Army’s 43rd Infantry Division in the Philippines until WWII ended. He remained in Japan on a convoy of Landing Ship Tanks as part of the 97th Infantry Division.  Later, once they were inactive, he went into Railroad Transportation in Osaka, Japan where he was a conductor for about 8 months.  

After discharge from the Army, he farmed back home in Melba, Idaho before driving truck in Alaska. He later returned back to Idaho where he was the jack of all trades working in construction, maintenance and other tradesman jobs.

In 1959 he married Margene Blair and had their daughter, Tanya. They later divorced in 1961 and he met and married the love of his life, Diane Briscoe in 1965.

Tommy enjoyed bowling with the “Bowling Bunch,” watching western classics and talking sports with anyone. Boise State University was always in conversation as well as local high school basketball teams. He will be remembered for the large groups of people he would entertain at his cabin in Crouch, Idaho where he was known for his cast-iron Dutch oven cookouts. If you ever stopped by, Tommy made sure you had a cold beer in your hand.

Tommy found his niche in the beer business. He worked for beer distributors before co-owning T & J Distributing and later retired from Boise Waste Water Treatment in 1993.

He is survived by his daughter Tanya Pierce of Kuna, Idaho; his grandchildren Scott Pierce (Renee) of Kuna, Idaho, Kristin Moore (Scottie) of Boise, Idaho, and Nicole Pierce of Boise, Idaho; his great-grandchildren Trenton, Leigha, Easton and Pierce; his stepson Jeff Conrad (Robin) of Middleton, Idaho; granddaughters Kelly Hendricks (Bart) of Boise, Idaho, and Kristy Conrad of Seattle, Washington; his great-grandson Conrad; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Diane; parents, Alva and Emma and siblings Anna Buchanan, Pat Cook, Fred Pope, Grace Lehmann, Helen Pope, Edna Duffield, James Pope and Richard Pope.

Tommy made many friends during his years at Hillcrest Assisted Living. He enjoyed many conversations amongst not only other residents but also the staff. His family thanks Hillcrest as well as Treasure Valley Hospice for their love and care.

Service to be held Friday, February 16, 2018 at 2pm at Hillcrest Assisted Living in Boise, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice.