Melvin Lionel Pope, Jr.

Melvin Lionel Pope Jr., CLU, passed away Oct. 21, 2024, at Westminster Oaks in Tallahassee, FL from complications of COVID-19. Born in Tallahassee on Feb. 7, 1933, to Helen and Melvin Pope Sr., Melvin’s life was an intentional celebration of love, family, friends, football, professional development, and community service. A 1951 graduate of Leon High School, Melvin attended the University of Florida on a football scholarship, where he lettered, played on the first Gator Bowl team, and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Drafted by the Army in 1954, Melvin served in Korea where he played armed services football for the Army team. While serving oversees, he taught English to a group of South Korean boys living in an orphanage next to his base, some of whom became life-long friends. Returning from the war in 1955, Melvin joined the Florida State University football team as a center, along with his friends Lee Corso and Burt Reynolds, quarterback and running back, respectively. He was the first person to letter in football at both UF and Florida State and later in the 1990’s was inducted into Leon High School’s Football Hall of Fame. While at FSU, Melvin earned a degree in insurance and met Katharine Johnson of Lakeland, Florida, who became his wife and partner in life for nearly 68 years. Together, they raised three boys of whom he was extremely proud. Unmatched in insurance awards and accolades, Melvin was the first Northwestern Mutual agent to serve North Florida and South Georgia. He became the managing partner and served as such for 26 years. As both an advisor and manager, he held every office and won every award in the industry. His Florida State automobile tag read NML #1. He was the first registered lobbyist for the Florida Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and was a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table. At his retirement in 1998, Melvin’s agency had provided more than $4 billion in life insurance protection to families and businesses in the region. He was also a founding member of Physicians Nationwide, a group that specialized in serving the medical community. A loyal Seminole fan, Melvin is the only twice president of the National Alumni Association for Florida State University, a founding member and only twice president of the Varsity Club and a founding board member of the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Circle of Garnet and the Circle of Gold, the Presidents club, the Westcott Club, as well as a lifelong Golden Chief. He was one of the first two registered lobbyists for Florida State University and the first lobbyist for the Boy Scouts of America in Florida. He was an Honorary Eagle Scout, packmaster and scoutmaster. He served as church council chair for Trinity United Methodist Church, of which he was a lifelong member. He was a founding member of St. Teresa Beach church and served on its board of directors for 28 years. He was a member of the downtown Tallahassee Rotary Club for 58 years and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of Cotillion, Colonels, and the Beachcombers social clubs. He was a Mason, a lifelong Elk, and a lifelong and former board member of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. He was a past president and held all board positions for the Westminster Oaks Residents Association. He is survived by spouse, Katharine, brother Robert (Lawrence Konrad), a sister Mary Helen Daniel (Wes); sons Melvin Pope III (Natascha), Bert, Bruce (Nancy); nine grandchildren and two and a half great grandchildren. There will be a celebration of Melvin's life Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Trinity Methodist Church, 120 W. Park Ave, Tallahassee, at 3:00 p.m., followed by a reception in Moor Hall. A private burial will be held at the Tallahassee National Cemetery prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Florida State University Foundation or the Trinity Methodist Church 200th Anniversary Fund. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Pope family with their arrangements.

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Melvin Lionel Pope, Jr.

February 7, 1933 - October 21, 2024