The University of Mount Olive mourns the loss of former Board of Trustees member and UMO Athletics Hall of Fame member E. J. "Buddy" Pope who passed away Wednesday night, July 11.
Mr. Buddy Pope served as a member of the UMO Board of Trustees for 19 years. In that role, he brought business sense to the governance of the University. He set the example for trusteeship by leading, raising money, and being personally generous of himself and his resources. Mr. Pope was inducted into the UMO Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015 along with his son Judson Pope for their support of the university and its athletics program.
Mr. Pope was an outstanding contributor to the University and expanded his gifts by leading fundraising programs, most notably the Handy Mart Golf Tournament which over the years has raised more than $2.6 million for scholarship support. Pope Wellness Center on the UMO campus, which was dedicated in November of 2006, is named for the Pope family in appreciation for their longstanding support of the university.
Judson Pope continues to fulfill a family tradition through his service on the University Board of Trustees.
A tribute to Buddy Pope can be found on the Tyndall Funeral Home website.