Mo "Oleg" Popov

May 13, 1951 - June 7, 2016

SALEM - Mo was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to San Francisco, California when he was about 5 years old. At which time, his dear Grandma Sophie gave him a guitar and piano lessons which fostered his love of music. She planted the idea Mo should pursue his love of music, which sent him on the road touring. He formed a band, Sweet Releese and at one point traveled as the opening act for Elvin Bishop.

As the band members went their separate ways, Mo landed in Anchorage Alaska. He lived there several years and played in a band Tytus Canby. He moved his family to Beaverton, Oregon and formed the band Aerial which traveled across the Northwest.

Eventually he moved to Dallas, Oregon to be with his Mother and finally settled in Salem, Oregon. Throughout his moves he continued working on his degrees. He received his Associates degree from Skyline College; Criminal Justice Degree from Alaska; his Bachelor Degree in Psychology & Family Studies; CADC Certificate in Substance Abuse & his Master's in Social Work from Portland State. This paved the way for his very well known career!

His list of accomplishments and the lives he touched are endless! They include: Maclaren Youth Authority Shift Manager; Social Services Specialist and Translator in the Russian Community in Woodburn; Intake Specialist in Polk County; Clinical Social Worker at Salem State Mental Health Hospital, he maintained a Private Practice in Social Work; Represented youth in Marion County Drug Court, Social Service Specialist at Homeless Outreach & Advocacy Project; Plus he was an Active Member, Mentor & Sponsor to those in AA & NA.

Mo's charisma was unmatched by many! If you met him, you loved him and his crazy sense of humor never disappointed! He challenged the system on many occasions and stood up for those that needed his voice! His counseling program was successful because he had been there, lived the life of those struggling and proved you can pull yourself up from the bottom! He was an inspiration to many!

Mo's passion was to surround himself with his boys and his grandkids. If they were together, you could almost guarantee it involved Fishing! He dreamed of having a summer to put "Cancer" behind him and spend the summer riding his Harley, fishing with his sons, gardening and spending time with his grand kids & his beloved dog Bogie!

Last but MOST important was the Love he had for his boys, Dimitre and Nick! As their families grew, so did his love of their families. The saddest thing for him was the thought of leaving them. Somehow I think I can guarantee that on each and every fishing trip or milestone in their life... he will still be there for them! God bless you Mo, I know with the strength of your faith you have found eternal peace...until we meet again...

Mo is survived by his sons, Dimitre & Nick Popov; daughters-in-law, Jasmine & Bree; and four beautiful grandbabies: Ava, Austin, Santana & Cataleya.

A celebration of Mo's life will be 11:00am Saturday, July 9, 2016 at the Evergreen Christian Center (4400 Glencoe NW Rd., Hillsboro 97124). Condolences, memories and photographs can be shared by visiting www.vtgolden.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Statesman Journal on Jul. 3, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Mo Popov

Sponsored by Statesman Journal.

20 Entries

Robert Tompkins

May 15, 2024

I really wish that I had decided to stay playing the drums with Oleg, Al Pingerra, and Randy McGowan. It was stupid of me to not stay with those three wonderful guys and see what we could do musically. But great to hear that Oleg did some truly useful, helpful things for people in the latter part of his life. Wish you the best Oleg, and all of family and kids.

Debra

February 24, 2024

Mo, my friend, mentor, colleague, we miss you. You were larger than life and your legacy of care, listening, and love of music and fishing live on. We carry your spirit with us. We miss your humor and keeping it real. Thank you for sharing hope with us all.

Erik Frizelle

June 27, 2023

Hey Mo. I have thought about you often still to this day, especially this year. I lost a few family members this year and have needed to practice the breathing you taught me to help cope. I still remember when I would come to my appts. to find you playing your guitar on the couch in the basement of a place on Liberty street, I think. Once you ended the song we started out with a few minutes of deep breaths to relax. Then it was off: An hour of talking, discussing, laughing and story telling with you. I looked forward to those appts. every week for years. I miss those days, but I know you are still listening and helping me out. Miss you Mo.....

Erik Frizelle

June 27, 2021

Mo, it´s been 5 years and I still look to you for guidance. Your words will be with me forever!! You are missed everyday my friend. By the way, my son Brendan has grown up and is a beautiful young man. You helped me do that!! My marriage is thriving. You helped me do that to. I will forever be indebted to you Mo!! I love and miss you my friend. Forever in my heart and soul.

December 9, 2019

Missing you all the time. Especially around holidays. The kids are growing up so fast. We talk about you all time and listen for you in every song! You are so very missed, I'd give anything to have one of our long talks about everything and anything. Every time the kids and Nick laugh I think of you. Ava reminds me so much of you. Such a kind soul with the biggest heart. So proud of the young lady she's become. Never afraid to stand up for what's right and loves her family sooo much. You'd be so proud of our little man. Austin has recovered so well. This past 9 months he has really gained his confidence back and is doing so well in school. He's our little math whiz who loves to tell stories just like you. His little bear hugs are healing and remind me of you every time. He's lookin more and more like Nick everyday! Nick talks about you and I'm sure you know how much he misses you especially when on the water which is 90% of where he spends his time. Lol. You'd be so proud of him Mo. Thank you for saving him, he has stayed true to his promise to you and himself and has been blessed with living his dream. He has worked so hard these past 3 years and has really made a name for himself. All the while he continues to be the best Daddy to our two littles and the best friend I could ever ask for. We still drive each other crazy but make sure to try and be thankful for each other more than ever before. He is a good man Mo and you would be beyond proud. With every milestone in our lives my mind wanders to what would you think or say. So very blessed to have had you as my Father-in-law and would give anything to give you a Big Bree hug and tell you how much I love you!

June 16, 2019

We Love You To The Moon And Back, Till The Numbers Stop And They NEVER Do!!

June 16, 2019

Happy Father's Day Mo! Missing you and thinking of you often. Thank you for your for all our talks I miss them more than you know! We love you Papa Mo

June 16, 2019

Rob Tompkins

October 21, 2018

Only found out about Oleg's passing just yesterday. We played music together in a couple of different groups. Good to hear that you lived a life that others appreciated Oleg. Have a good journey.

Robert Tompkins

Brendan's 1st Salmon

Erik Frizelle

September 25, 2018

Mo. It's been over 2 years now and I miss your guidance and loving, caring personality. I am going through some tough times right now, and I still feel comfort in talking to you because I know you are listening. I miss you, I love you my friend. This pic is of my son Brendan, who you talked with once, and his first Salmon ever that we just enjoyed 9/13/2018. It made me think of your love of fishing and your boys. Forever in my life.

June 10, 2018

My family smiling with your help. Thank You

Erik Frizelle

September 4, 2017

Mo, it has been well over a year now and I still think of you very often. I still talk to you when I have life troubles and on occasion regarding my son. He is starting college this year at Chemeketa and is going to study to be a 1st Responder. He wants to help people as you did. I am sitting here on my couch after a very stressful week or so just chatting with you. You are still listening. I will always love you Mo and forever talk to you when I need you.

Happy Birthday Papa Mo

May 13, 2017

marilyn daily

September 28, 2016

I just learned of Mo's Passing and I am so sorry to hear the news. I will forever be grateful for Mo and his heart and spirit to help others. He agreed to meet with my son--an angry middle school kid. He helped my son find the words to express his feelings, come up with solutions, and execute a plan. Today my son is a happy and healthy young man with a great sense of humor. I owe that to Mo. He was able to speak his language, relate to his hurts, and help him move forward. My son saw him as a friend and will forever share Mo's great music, fishing, and survival stories with others.

Aaron Probst

August 13, 2016

I just found out about Mo's passing a few days ago and it still hurts. I first met Mo about 10 years ago when he was my couples counselor. The relationship didn't work out, but I kept seeing Mo. He helped me quit drinking 9 years ago and was always there when/if I needed him. He was such a caring person and I've long considered him as my dear friend. I saw him last year after I got out of the hospital and we were sharing our medical experiences. I'm comforted to know that I will see him again in Heaven, but we definitely lost a great person.

Robert S

July 16, 2016

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the many lives he touched. I knew him a LONG time ago as a friend of Bill's. God Bless you Mo. You left an impact on the young man I was. To me, he was Mo Duh! A scooter hog with a heart of gold and an eye that could see the truth.

Nick P

July 16, 2016

Shonna Trejo

July 5, 2016

To his family, I am so sorry for your loss. I met Mo about 11 years ago when my child was in some trouble. He was amazing with her, and even after that, any time I saw him he was always amazing. he was so caring and seemed to really connect with the kids and families he worked with. I always had a smile on face talking with him. He will be missed. Trejo Family