Gerald “Jake” Popnoe went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
A celebration of Jake’s earthly and eternal life will be a graveside service held at Silver Valley Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025.
Jake was born on September 16, 1927, in Silver Valley, Texas, to Bonnie and Millie Popnoe. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife of 59 years, Willa Glyn (Bitty) Popnoe, his second wife of over eleven years, Leona O’Neal Popnoe, his son, Matt Popnoe, and his brother and sister-in-law, Barney and Janie Popnoe.
Jake was an outgoing, fun-loving, and devoted husband and father. A man of deep faith, he spent his life striving to grow in his knowledge of the Bible. His wisdom and “horse sense,” as he called it, were matched only by his integrity and work ethic. He took great pride in never owning a credit card, symbolizing his strong principles and practical nature of never living outside his means.
Jake’s career was as diverse as his talents. He worked as a head driller for Shell Oil Company, an independent chicken and pig rancher, carpenter, decorative wood operator, and retired after a 25-year association with Schuster’s Over Texas. Jake served his country with honor as a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. Jake’s love of the outdoors made him an avid fisherman, a passion he pursued well into his late eighties. He embodied the spirit of living life to the fullest.
In his later years, Jake experienced a joyful resurgence when he reconnected with a classmate from Novice and married Leona O’Neal on April 20, 2015. Together, they embraced life’s simple pleasures, attending country dances in Oplin, Tye, Rose Park, and Sweetwater. Their graceful moves on the dance floor earned them numerous compliments and the admiration of many.
Jake was passionate about sharing the Gospel and offering wisdom to those around him. His faith and love for life will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. Though his family and friends will dearly miss him, they find peace knowing he is now walking and dancing on the streets of gold in Heaven with his Savior.
Jake is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Patti and Jon Cohen of Aledo, Texas, along with many loving nieces and nephews. Jake had no favorites but enjoyed many weekends playing dominoes, fishing at the dock and cooking the fresh fish with Sue & Robert Striegler and Mike Wood.
Jake was a faithful member of Lawn Baptist Church.
Death is not the end, but the beginning. Until we meet again in Heaven.
Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home in Coleman. We invite you to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Popnoe family by signing the guestbook on Jake’s tribute page at www.stevensfuneralhome.com. Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Popnoe family.
