JK Cope

Published 9:06 am Friday, September 24, 2021

Mr. JK Cope, 91, of Tampa, Fla., formerly of Portland, Tenn., died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa.

Mr. Cope was born Feb. 15, 1930 in Davie County, son of the late John F. and Martha Ellis Cope.

Survivors: his son, David Cope of Cumming, Ga.; daughter, Esther Krumholz of Tampa; stepdaughters, Judy Ayers of Portland, Shirley Crutcher of Franklin, Ky., and Pat Sullivan of Chattanooga, Tenn; stepson, Byron Carlton of Chattanooga; grandchildren, Chris Cope, Amanda Cope, and Forest Bradley; step-grandchildren, Joe Ayers, Jon Ayers, Tim Ayers, Tony Ayers, Emily Wade, Elizabeth Bolerjack, Stephanie Grey, Jonathan Clayton, Ashley Deal; and many step-great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by: his first wife, Lucille Frye Cope of Advance; second wife, Versie Dodd Cope from Henderson, Tenn.; third wife, Millie Kelley Cope from Portland, Tenn; 4th wife, Betty Carlton Cope from Fort Mead, Fla.; his oldest daughter, Kay Cope Wahlen from Woodbridge, Va.; stepdaughter, Mimi Campbell from Franklin, Ky.; his oldest son, John Cope from Sautee, Ga.; and stepson, Wayne Carlton from Chattanooga.

Mr. Cope was a member of Highland Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Portland, and a member of the VFW Post in Portland, where he was a former commander. Mr. Cope served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He retired from Sunbelt Healthcare System after 32 years in multiple departments.

Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 26 at Old Brush Cemetery in Portland. Military rites will be held at the graveside.