Curtis Cope

Curtis Cope, 88, of Mayflower, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, September 4, 2017 in the comfort of his home lovingly surrounded by his wife of 67 years, Beverly Anne Gillespie Cope and his daughters. Curtis was born on April 13, 1929 in North Little Rock to the late H.C. Cope Sr. and Irene (Mangum) Conrad. He was a 1947 graduate of North Little Rock High School. He went on to attend the University of Central Arkansas where he played football and baseball. He participated in the Bear's 1949 state championship win. He then played catcher for the New York Giants Farm Team. Curtis was later inducted into the UCA Hall of Fame for football and baseball in 2002. In his early career, he was a teacher and coach at North Little Rock High School and Helena. He then went on to become a Jobber with Shell Oil Company, eventually opening Cope Oil Company. His career ended with Hess Oil as he began his retirement on Lake Conway. Curtis was a long-time member and Deacon of Markham Street Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his son, Gary Dean Cope of Benton, Arkansas. He is survived by his wife, Beverly Anne Cope; daughters; Sherry (Brandon) Robertson of Conway, Patricia (Stuart) Miller of Mayflower, Nancy (Bob) Mensinger of Texas; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Harold (Linda) Conrad of Alaska and extended family and friends. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, September 7, 2017 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Chapel, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas (501) 224-8300. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be 12-1 p.m. prior to the service. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.