Our beloved father, Jack Hope passed away on September 5, 2015, at the age of 90. He lived a "wonderful life". He was truly a gift from God. His infectious smile and positive attitude touched so many lives. Jack was born March 11, 1925, in Enid, OK. to C.A. and Minnie Hope. His early childhood was spent in Okemah, OK where he began his devotion with Boys Scouts of America. The Hope family then moved to Shawnee in 1936. At the age of 15 he earned the Eagle Scout rank and achieved numerous swimming & diving awards. He attended Shawnee High where he excelled as an athlete playing on the varsity football, basketball, boxing & track teams. He graduated in 1943 & then volunteered for the Navy in August that same year, serving 3 years with the Seabees as a Navy diver where he was stationed in Pearl Harbor and Guam.
After discharge from the Navy, he returned home to marry the love of his life, Norma Lee Rapp in 1946. He attended OBU where he earned an associate business degree. In 1948, he began his career with J.C. Penney as a sales associate in Hot Springs, AR, where their daughter Linda was born. He was later transferred to OKC, which became their permanent home and the birthplace of their second daughter, Sherri. He retired from J.C. Penney after 40 years in sales management. During retirement Jack pursued his passion for golf with his friends & family. He became a marshal at Cedar Valley Golf Club where he achieved his first & only hole- in- one.
An avid sports fan, Jack spent many Saturdays attending OU football games. Win or lose he was always positive - always looking forward - that was Jack. Jack and Norma traveled extensively and enjoyed spending time at their lake home in Eufaula. In their later years Papaw & Nana enjoyed their 5 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. But most of all he loved to dance and spend time with his beautiful wife, Norma.
He was a member of the Young Men's Club, Con-V Patrol of the India Shriners, numerous bowling and golf leagues and he was a long time member of Church of the Servant.
Near the end of his life, when asked "how are you Jack", he would either reply "Everything is A Okay" or "Not bad for an Ole Codger". Regardless of how ill he really was, he never complained or had negative thoughts. His love of family, country and strong faith in the Lord taught us all the things that matter most. He was a blessing to us all. A truly wonderful man that is now with our Lord.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Lee (Rapp) Hope, his parents C.A & Minnie Hope and brother C.G. (Gil) Hope. He is survived by his daughters, Linda McCuan Branam and husband John; Sherri Bumps and her husband John. Linda's family, step son Stuart McCuan and wife Tabitha and their children, Mackenzie and Peyton. Sherri's family, son Toby Cotton and wife Amanda and their children, Haley, Abigail, Jeremiah, and Benjamin; daughter, Callie and husband, Jason Homsey and their children, Hayden, Jackson and Jake; step daughter Ryanne and her husband Mike Frease and their children, Sadie and Fletcher; step daughter Emily and husband Jon Ross and their children, Jordan and Tucker; and two adoring nieces (who affectionately called him "Uncle Big Jack"), Sharon Wade and husband David; Karen Vermelis and husband, Ilgvars and their respective families; Brother-in-law William T. Rapp Jr. and wife, Virginia.
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Concordia staff for their care giving and compassion throughout Jack's time & final ordeal. Everyday, they expressed to all of us that Jack was special because of his inspiring smile & awesome attitude. They even nicknamed him "handsome".
We love you Daddy. Thanks for being the best father and example ever. We will miss you immensely and know that you are now dancing in heaven with Mom.
A Memorial Service will be held at Church of the Servant, 14343 N MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, on Friday Sept 11th at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow at a private family gathering at Rose Hill. Friends my leave condolences to the family at our online memorial by visiting www.vondelsmithmortuary.com. Donations maybe made to the Alzheimer's Association and OMRF (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation).