Kenneth Pope

Raymond Kenneth Pope

Raymond Kenneth Pope was born on January 27, 1934, in Marquand, MO to Arthur and Ethel (Brown) Pope. He left this earth peacefully on August 20, 2026, surrounded by his children and beloved wife.

Kenneth attended school in Oran, Lilbourn, and Bell City over the course of his childhood and adolescence. In April of 1953 at the age of 19, he began his lifelong career with Missouri Utilities (later known as Union Electric and then Ameren). That same year, on August 28, 1953, he was united in marriage with Viva Jean (Eakin) Pope, who survives the household.

Kenneth served in the United States Army at Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Washington from August 1956 to 1958, after which, he and Viva returned to Southeast Missouri to begin what Kenneth would call his greatest achievement: their family. They raised their children, Kimberly (Allen) Fitts of Dexter and Martin (Carla) Pope of Cape Girardeau, in Oran, MO, which was Kenneth and Viva’s home for more than 60 years. He was a dedicated community member, a member of the Lions Club, the Masonic Lodge, the Scott County Transit Board, and serving for 12 years on the Oran Board of Education. He and Viva were active members of the Oran First Baptist Church for more than 60 years.

Nothing brought him more joy than watching his five grandchildren grow up; Elizabeth (Austin) Littleton of Sikeston, Abigail (Kobe Franklin) Pope of Jackson, Jordan Fitts of Dexter, Daniel (Maddison Carlton) Fitts of Dexter, and Adam (Allison Hancock) Pope of St. Louis. More recently, he also discovered the love of great-grandchildren, being blessed with five during his life; Lakynn Fitts, Andrew Littleton, Aftyn Fitts, Ellie Fitts, and Baylor Franklin.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings, Arthur Pope (Madeleine), Patricia Reddick (Jess), and Carolyn Caudle (J.C.), and a granddaughter, Kaitlyn Pope.

Kenneth proudly worked as an electrician for Ameren for 42 years, traveling all over Southeast Missouri and making friends everywhere he went. On any given drive, he loved to point out to his grandkids all the substations he worked on over the course of his career in the area. In retirement, you could find Kenneth taking in any local sporting event he could find (though his favorites were those that featured his grandchildren), working in his woodshop and touring the craft fair scene, tending his garden, cheering on the Cardinals (and coaching them from the couch), or chatting at the coffee shop.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 24, 2026 from 11:00 until 1:00 with a celebration of life service at 1:00 pm at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran with Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Interment will follow at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors.

He leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication to family, career, and community and he will be greatly missed by those that knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oran First Baptist Church (PO Box 461, Oran, MO 63771) or the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center (PO Box 608, Sikeston, MO 63801 or Kenny Rogers Children's Center, www.kennyrogerscenter.org | Donate Today).

Online Condolences: www.amick-burnetfuneralchapels.com