Phillip L. Pope

Phillip Lynn Pope, 84, of Gallipolis, Ohio passed away at home on Monday, November 6, 2023, surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Avalon Pope and his brother, Donovan Marcus Pope. Born on September 16, 1939, Phil was the son of the late MaeBelle and Woodrow Pope.

Phil was a graduate of The Ohio State University where he was a member of the Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Team. After graduation, he inaugurated the Vocational Agriculture program at Fairfield Union High School and later Hannan Trace High School before returning to his love of farming. He taught an adult agriculture program in connection with OSU during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Waterloo 532 Masonic Lodge, a founding member and served on the Board of Directors of the Gallia County Agricultural Center, Inc., and served on the board of Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative and the Commercial and Savings Bank.

Phil is survived by three children: Robert D. Foster of Bidwell, Howard J. Foster (Melinda) of Gallipolis, and Amanda P. Thompson (Stuart) of Lexington, Kentucky. Phil’s devotion to teaching endured throughout his life. He mentored many youngsters in his community about the value of hard work and education. It made him happy when he had an opportunity to share his commonsense wisdom or the latest nugget of information he gleaned from the Wall Street Journal with his grandchildren: Megan Foster Burnett, Mandy (Ian) Dressel, Taylor Foster (Ifeanyi Mbaike), Morgan Foster (Trey Garza), Rhett Thompson, Alaina Thompson, Thomas Foster, and Kate Foster. He was blessed last year with his first great grandchild, Clara Dressel. Also surviving are several cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Funeral Services will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Gallia County Agricultural Center Inc., 1152 Hannan Trace Road, Patriot, Ohio 45658 or to the Gallia County Junior Fair Relocation Project, P.O. Box 931, Gallipolis, Ohio 45631.