Obituary

Todd Sims Pope, 64, of Durham, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2024, surrounded by his wife Dana and their three daughters, Mary Kendrick, Laurie, and Elizabeth after a nine year journey with Primary Progressive Aphasia, a rare form of dementia that progressively impairs speech and language. Todd loved music, comedy, history, family, fellowship, his garden, a wild storm, a good story, and meeting new people. He found joy in the little things, laughter in the world around him, and treasured every second he had with each person who crossed his path.

Todd was born on May 22, 1960, in Opelika, Alabama, to Frank Reid Pope and Annie Laurie Sims Pope, and was the youngest of three boys. Todd, and his brothers Randy (b. 1957) and Reid (b. 1954) grew up in the Rayward subdivision on Frederick Road in Opelika where they spent many hours playing with friends and cousins Jeff and John Pope. They loved to ride bikes, play football, and dress up in army gear, using their yard as the battlefield. Before moving into their home on Gwen Mill Drive, the Popes lived on their family farm, where they raised cows and participated in livestock shows. Todd was a member of the 4-H Club and The Lee County Junior Cattlemen, and won a silver bowl for showing the Grand Champion in the Hereford division in 1971. Todd and his brothers often spent summers gathering with family members from both the Sims and Pope sides of the family. Todd and Jeff spent hours hitching Flag the dog to a wagon with little John inside and urging Flag to run as fast as he could. Most treasured were their Pope family trips to places like Cherokee, NC and Gatlinburg, TN several times, looking for bears and wooden Native Americans, or to Mobile to see the Battleship Alabama. Most memorably, they took a cross-country trip to California in 1968, where they visited every Stuckey’s along the way. The stops included Six Flags in Dallas with their Sims family cousins, the Grand Canyon, and the Painted Desert in Arizona. Once in California, the family visited Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, and Disneyland. Todd kept every trinket and scrap of paper from this unforgettable trip.

Todd attended Northside/Martin Elementary and Middle School in Opelika where he was a member of the student council and where he met life-long friends Larry Nobles and Jimmy Wheatley. Todd loved collecting and trading comic books with Joe and his cousin Jeff, and even made some of his own. Todd and Jimmy would meet on Saturdays to buy and listen to 45 records, and record “radio shows” using a cassette recorder. Todd loved all kinds of music and credited Jimmy Wheatley for this passion. He shared his love for music with his daughters and remained a fan of James Taylor until the end. Todd also never missed an episode of Lost in Space or Star Trek, and was known to quote many of the Star Trek episodes word for word. Todd spent countless hours with Joe Shepherd, Steve Parker, and Mark Oliver riding bikes or strategizing in their fort. Known as the “Sons of Liberty,” the boys would devise plans to outsmart their “enemies” using pinecones. Later, their adventures shifted to friendly front-yard football games in the “Pope Memorial Stadium.”

Todd attended Opelika High School, and in 1976 was elected by the faculty to be a member of the Honor Society on the basis of the four areas that emphasize the well-rounded student; scholarship, character, leadership and service. He continued his education at Auburn University, where he made the Dean’s list, and was initiated into the Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society during his senior year. Todd remained a devoted Auburn Tigers fan throughout his life. War Eagle!

The summer of 1976 was Todd’s first year at Camp Kanata, located in Wake Forest, NC, where he would spend the next seven summers creating incredible memories with his buddies Larry Nobles, Richard Hamilton, and Steve Powell — not just at camp, but also on trips to Six Flags over Georgia, Florida, Panama City, and Auburn football games. Todd formed many friendships and touched the lives of both campers and counselors. One fateful summer in 1982, Todd met the love of his life, a fellow counselor named Dana. After a year apart full of long letters, cassette mixtapes (ask your parents) and long-distance phone calls, they were married on June 23, 1984 at the Duke Chapel with family and friends present. Todd and Dana were blessed to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary together on June 23, 2024.

Todd completed an internship in Wake Forest, NC, during his final year at Auburn and later took a job in nearby Louisburg. There, he served as the Facilitator for Louisburg’s $750,000 Community Development Grant Project, overseeing the rehabilitation or construction of 60 homes in the Mineral Springs area. In 1986, Todd began working at Piedmont Electric Membership Co-op, where he spent nearly 30 years as the Manager of Consumer Services. His patience, compassion, love for people, and his willingness to go the extra mile made Todd a valuable employee, co-worker, and friend. He formed special friendships with Chuck Lee, Sherry Barefoot, Dot Hall, and many others, which continued throughout his life.

Todd’s greatest joy in life was his family, and always put them first above everything else. He was a wonderful husband to Dana and father to Mary Kendrick (b. 1987), Laurie (b. 1990), and Elizabeth (b. 1996), and never passed up an opportunity to spend time with them, their cousins or their friends. Todd was often behind the video camera, capturing precious moments of his kids, nieces, and nephews, and providing humorous commentary. Whether it was Saturday morning adventures to Home Depot, stargazing, creating treasure hunts, mowing special lawnmower mazes, or trips to the used bookstore, Todd always found ways to enjoy quality time with his girls.

Todd was a devoted Christian and a cornerstone of his church community at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church. For 27 years, he taught hundreds of young minds in Sunday School, often alongside Rita MacMillian. He was also known for sharing his special “Bug Juice” drink, a tradition he continued from his days at Camp Kanata. It always brought Todd great joy to reconnect with the kids he had taught years later, and he loved keeping in touch with them throughout their lives.

In 2015, Todd’s co-workers were the first to notice his initial struggles with language and communication. After testing, he was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a form of frontotemporal dementia. Todd took disability leave in December 2015 and officially retired from Piedmont in 2017. At that time, little was known about PPA or its effects on the brain. Following his doctor’s advice, Todd and Dana got their “ducks in a row” and focused on making the most of their time together. Dana stepped into a new role of caregiver, where she went above and beyond for the next nine years doing everything in her power to keep Todd busy, independent and safe. When asked about his diagnosis, Todd’s advice was: “spend time with friends, have fun, don’t give up, and NEVER lose your sense of humor!” Remarkably, even in his final weeks, Todd continued to find ways to make his loved ones laugh.

Todd stayed connected to his Alabama roots by making several trips to Opelika in 2016, 2018 and 2022 to attend Auburn football games, a high school reunion, and to spend time with his brother Reid, nephew Adam, sister-in-law Lauren, and cousins Jeff and John Pope. In November 2016, the family celebrated the marriage of Mary Kendrick to Peter John Hayward, where Todd was able to deliver a special toast to the couple. As Dana focused on simplifying their lives, Todd became actively involved with the Triangle Aphasia Project (TAP). There, he participated in writing and book club classes, finding great joy in connecting with others who faced similar language and cognitive challenges.

Todd and Dana continued to make lasting memories through their travels. They explored Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, and took a memorable six-country European tour, visiting London, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Siena, Germany, and Switzerland. During this time, they welcomed Gracie, their Cavapoo, who became Todd’s beloved companion. In December 2017, they sold their home of 25 years in American Village, marking the end of a cherished chapter filled with life-long friendships and treasured memories. They lived in downtown Durham until February 2022, when they moved to their newly built home in Crystal Lake at Croasdaile Farm, just down the road from Mary Kendrick, Peter, and their beloved grandchildren, Jack (b. 2019) and Lily (b. 2022). Although Todd had only a short time with his grandchildren, he made the most of it, creating precious memories whenever he could. Jack and “Pop” shared a love for collecting rocks, music, being goofy, and spending time outdoors. Just the sound of Lily’s voice never failed to make Todd’s face light up and sent him running to greet her, just as he did with his own little girls. He was a devoted father and grandfather in every sense.

Though Todd’s methods of communication changed over the years, he continued to express his love for his family in his own special ways—through jokes, smiles, laughter, hugs, or a twinkle in his eye—up until the very end of his life. There is no doubt that Todd’s love will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Todd was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Reid Pope and Annie Laurie Pope; his brother, Randall Huel Pope; his stepmother, Marsha McCrory Pope; and his father-in-law, Randolph Reamey Few. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Dana Few Pope of Durham, NC; daughters Mary Kendrick Hayward (Peter) of Durham, NC, Laurie Sims Pope of Brooklyn, NY, and Elizabeth Randall Pope of Denver, CO; and grandchildren John “Jack” Sims Hayward and Lily Jane Hayward. Also surviving are his brother, Frank Reid Pope Jr.; his sister-in-law and classmate, Gail Henderson Pope of Opelika, AL; nephew Adam Reid Pope (Hannah) of Birmingham, AL; cousins John Pope (Connie) of Auburn, AL, and Jeff Pope (Amy) of Hazel Green, AL; his sister-in-law Lauren Hubbard Pope (Randall, d. 1995) of Opelika, AL; cousin Bill Barrington (Karen) of Atlanta, GA; and his half-sister Rosalind Reisner (Gerald) of Princeton, NJ. Additionally, he is survived by his brother-in-law Randolph Reamey Few Jr. (Patricia) of Durham, NC; his sister-in-law Louise Few Rollins (Steed) of Durham, NC; his mother-in-law Shirley Dana Few (Randolph, d. 2008) of Durham, NC; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family is especially grateful to Betty Allen who loved and cared for Todd over the last 18 months of his life, and to companions Sherry, Grace, and Susan. They also extend their thanks to caregivers Tierra, Stephen, Nathan, Amy, Alimath, who cared for him in his last days with patience, understanding, and love.

A Celebration of Life for Todd will be held at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church in Durham, NC, on August 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow the service in Whitford Hall. Details for virtual attendance will be provided soon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Camp Kanata’s Annual Campaign (13524 Camp Kanata Road Wake Forest, NC 27587) or to Triangle Aphasia Project Unlimited (171 High House Road Suite 11, Cary, NC 27511).