Terry Randall Pope
Terry Randall Pope, 65, a resident of Red Bank, passed away at home on Saturday, June 22, 2019. He was the son of the late Vester Eugene Pope and Flora June Mills Pope.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Burke Pope; his son, Daniel Gregory Pope; brother Jeff Pope and sister Sherri Lynn Pope (Lamar) Cox; brothers- and sisters-in-law Debbie Burke (David) Brackett and Hubert C. (Connie G.) Burke, Jr.; nephew and nieces Joseph A. (Jessica) Brackett, Heather Broome, Cody Cox and Alexis L. Burke; and great nephews.
Born in Chattanooga on March 17, 1954, Terry was reared in North Georgia and was a 1972 graduate of Lakeview High School and co-captain in the band. He graduated in 1977 from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a bachelor’s degree in music education and served as the band director at North Sand Mountain and Marion County High Schools before going into the music store business as an outside sales representative and manager of Giant Steps Music Inc. in Chattanooga.
Terry built the Marion County Band program, elevating it to superior ratings in competitions and festivals. Loved by his students, many stayed in contact with him over the years. In 1990-’91, he served as interim band director at Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe High School.
His service with Giant Steps included calling on area band programs in North Georgia and Southeast Tennessee, coordinating equipment and supply purchases as well as servicing repairs on school- and student-owned instruments. He was known for his honesty, knowledge, dependability and outstanding service. He also managed Giant Steps’ showroom, including personnel and floor plan. He recommended and supervised the company’s expansion into Ft. Oglethorpe, GA, and managed that store for several years.
Leaving Giant Steps after many years, Terry became a sales representative for Industrial Supply Company before returning to his first love, music, and opening his own instrument rental business, Great Southern Instrument Rental and Sales. He was operating this enterprise at the time of his death.
He was a professional trumpet player, playing with local bands, churches and national touring groups that performed in Chattanooga. He performed with Steve Allen, Buddy Morrow, Bill Watrus, The Ojays, The Platters, Carol Channing, Ringling Brothers Circus and several ice shows, to name a few. He played taps for veterans’ funerals at the National Cemetery. He was a pioneer of and played lead trumpet with Chattanooga’s Monday Night Jazz Band for many years and played with the MidSouth Symphonic Band. He was the jazz band director at Chattanooga State.
Terry taught many high school trumpet and band section rehearsals throughout the area and, on occasion, escorted instrumental groups’ travel. He served for six years as assistant director and trumpet instructor for the Georgia All Star Band in its travels to Paris and London.
He was a respected mentor to many trumpet players and band directors in the Chattanooga area and was highly regarded, both as a musician and valued friend.
Terry worked hard to serve his family and community well. He was always willing to lend a hand and knowledge on how to fix almost anything, or, more importantly, teach you how to fix it.
An avid supporter of the Red Bank community, he helped develop it through his vast knowledge of history and politics. For many years, as president of the Red Bank Community Pool’s advisory board, Terry gave his time, love, sweat, money and voice to raising funds to purchase equipment and renovate facilities. He served on the Red Bank Planning Commission for two years, then was elected to the Red Bank Board of Commissioners for six years, two as vice mayor, in which position he was serving at the time of his death. He faithfully attended school and community functions and responded immediately to residents’ suggestions and complaints.
Terry was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity and a lifetime member of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and the Mocs Club. He attended Red Bank United Methodist Church.
Terry will long be remembered for his work ethic, his willingness to help others, his prodigious memory, his generosity, his love of family and friends, his sense of humor and his fierce loyalty to ideas and people he believed in. He used what he had been given to bless others with it. He never met a stranger.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 26, from 5-8 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel and again at Red Bank United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 27 prior to the service from 12:00 p.m. to 1 p.m. The funeral service will be at Red Bank United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 27, at 1 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Chattanooga Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Red Bank Community Food Bank, care of Red Bank United Methodist Church, 3800 Dayton Blvd, Red Bank TN 37415.
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories atwww.chattanooganorthchapel.com.