Freddy Allen Pope, 89, passed away Friday, April 21, 2023. He was called home by his Heavenly Father to manage the Kingdom’s Charleston Grey watermelon patch.

Freddy loved nothing more than being outside in his garden working. His love for watermelons was a priority every year. Of course, throughout the year Freddy loved being with his family and friends, telling stories and bringing laughter to everyone in the room, which he never failed to do. Freddy also had a famous saying if he thought you had pulled one over him: “I’m gonna let the air out of your tires the next time I see you,” which was followed by a his famous hearty laugh. Freddy loved the Boston Red Sox and UCONN Women’s Basketball. Every season he would call family and friends and say, “Now at 8 p.m. the UCONN girls are playing. You better be watching!” In high school, Freddy was all-conference in football, basketball, and baseball. He served in the United States Army as Active Duty and U.S. Army Reserves. Once returning home from deployment to Germany, Freddy was the Supervising Mechanic for Beauty Maid Mills and Draymore in Statesville. After retiring, Freddy managed over seven gardens, selling his lovingly grown goods at his produce stand. Our time together never failed to end without a story that we will cherish for a lifetime. God blessed us all with Freddy’s light that will never go out; it will burn brightly within us. Freddy married his best friend, Katie Fox, sharing 31 years of love and friendship.

Freddy is survived by daughters, Julie Presler (Mike) and Tari Pope; son, Jamie Pope (Julie); grandchildren, Courtney Bougher (Jason), Judge Hughes III (Cyrstal), Noah Hughes (Madelyn), Amelia Alford (Damon), and Nicholas Pope; great grandchildren, Joshua Bougher and Kenzo Alford, and soon to be coming Oak Hughes in July; wife, Katie Pope; and adopted daughter by heart, Lisa Riddle.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Allen Pope and Cleo Haddie Sigmon Pope.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Nicholson Funeral Home with Rev. Tony Fox officiating. Burial will follow at New Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Gordon Hospice House, Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County.

Online condolences can be made at www.nicholsonfunerals.com.

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.