Statesboro The life of John Richard (Jack) Popps ended on May 11, 2018 at home in Statesboro, Georgia at the age of 90. He lived a full and rewarding life that included many facets and achievements. John was born in West Liberty, Ohio on April 23, 1928 to Howard Allen Popps and Ethel Mae Hooley.
He grew up in Bellfountaine, Ohio, where he graduated from high school in 1946. He spent three years in the US Air Force serving as an aircraft mechanic. In 1951, after the outbreak of the Korean War, he enlisted in the US Air Force Reserve troop carrier wing and served for three years as an aircraft Crew Chief and Flight Engineer.
His favorite subject in school was mathematics and he had a 39 year career in the computer business. He was interested in aviation from the time he was a child, learned to fly as a senior in high school, owned airplanes for 33 years and became an accomplished flight instructor. After his retirement from his business career in 1988, he was an active volunteer pilot with the Angel Flight organization.
John was an avid model train enthusiast building an extensive N scale layout on which he and Edith worked diligently. They enjoyed many hours planning and working together building the layout. John was caregiver for his wife Emma Jeane Lancen Popps, who preceded him in death in 2005.
They were married September 17, 1949 in Sabina, Ohio and had two sons, John Robert (Jodie) of Auburn, Ga. and Thomas Eugene (Celia) of Watkinsville, Ga. They resided in a number of cities and states during John’s career with major computer manufacturers, but spent the last 40 years in the Atlanta area.
After his wife’s death in 2005, John met Edith Jenkins, a widow, who became his loving companion for the rest of his life. John embraced life in Statesboro and made it his home. They enjoyed traveling over the lower 48 for several years and made many wonderful memories.
John and Edith joined Statesboro First United Methodist Church and became active in The Dan Williams Sunday School class. John enjoyed attending church until his health declined. John was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, his son John Robert and grandson John Robert II.
He is survived by his son Tom (Celia) and grandson Lenny, nieces and a nephew. He also accepted as his own Edith’s children John Jenkins (Linda) and Wanda Lee (Bennie). He enjoyed a special relationship with Edith’s great-granddaughter, Byrdee Jo Lee.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at Statesboro First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jimmy Cason officiating on Tuesday, May 15 at 11:00am. Interment will be in Snellville, Georgia on Wednesday, May 16 at 11:00am.
Low Country Cremation and Burial is serving the Popps family.
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