Randall Ray Pope

Randall Ray Pope, age 91 of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2023. He was born to parents Reuben S. and Enid Lillian (Powers) Pope on October 15, 1932, at their farm near Durham, Kansas. After attending the first six elementary grades in rural Ashcraft School, he finished grade and high school in Durham.

Randy was active in 4-H through high school and received a scholarship at Kansas State University for his freshman year. With the Korean War in full action, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served four years in the Naval Air. He took advantage of the GI Bill and returned to Kansas State University and received a B.S. Degree in landscape architecture in 1958.

During his 36 years with the National Park Service, he had assignments in the Omaha Regional Office, Grand Teton National Park, Superintendent of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, Superintendent of Ozark National Scenic Riverways, and Superintendent of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. He retired in December of 1993 after 7 years as Superintendent of Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Randy started the Friends of the Smokies National Park organization in 1993. He was listed in Smokies Life Magazine as one of the most influential people in the history of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Randy was a member of the Lions Club while stationed at West Branch, Iowa and President of the Sunrise Lions Club of Omaha, NE. While living in Van Buren, MO, he was a member and President of the Rotary Club and served nearly 15 years in the Gatlinburg Rotary Club.

He married Kathleen V. Higer, a fellow Kansas State student. She was from Hill City, KS and also received a degree from Kansas State University. They had two children, Mark of Grayslake, IL and Renee Polenske of Lake City, CO.

In his retirement years, Randy enjoyed traveling, gardening, photography, fishing, and hiking. He loved mountain scenery, both in the Colorado Rockies and the Smoky Mountains.

Randy was very proud of his children, as well as his three grandchildren, Christina Christensen (Geoff) of Grayslake, IL, Gregory Pope of Kearney, NE and Jackie Berger (Christopher) of Grayslake, IL. All five have graduated from universities, Mark with a PhD in Biochemistry. Randy is also survived by great-grandsons Logan and Zachary Christensen.

Randy's ashes will be scattered in the Smokies at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Smokies, P.O. Box 1660, Kodak, TN 37764 or Gatlinburg First United Methodist Church, 742 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com