George Poppas Jr

On Saturday, June 21, 2014 at age 91, George went to be with His Lord. He had been a resident of Albuquerque, NM since 2005 and prior to that, had lived in El Paso, TX for 27 years. George lived many other places in the US and abroad while serving with distinction in the US Army and Civil Service. George leaves behind a large and loving family to include: daughter, Candace Leas and her husband, Larry of Sandia Park, NM; two granddaughters, Jessica Marie Victor and her husband, Manolo of Santa Fe, NM, and Kari Nicole Ackerman of Albuquerque, NM; three great-grandsons, Logan, Tristan, and Ethan Victor of Santa Fe, NM; sisters, Freda Tranbarger of Los Gatos, CA, Willie Warren of St. Petersburg, FL, Grace Kingseed and her husband, Dale of Kokomo, IN, Vanetta Beckman and her husband, George of Moneta, VA, and Phoebe Carter and her husband, Lee of Kokomo, IN; brothers, Tom Poppas and his wife, Betty of Kokomo, IN and John Poppas and his wife, Marianne of Piedmont, CA; brothers-in-law, Mayo Nielsen of Salt Lake City, UT, Robert Miller and his wife, Eunice of Zephyrhills, FL, Paul Love and his wife, Connie of Kokomo, IN, Charles Love and his wife, Terri of Kokomo, IN, George Love and his wife, Loralee of Greentown, IN, Jerry Love and his wife, Lynn of Kokomo, IN, and Gerald Love and his wife, Stephanie of Kokomo, IN; as well as multiple nieces and nephews and their children. LTC Poppas was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Susie Marie (Love) Poppas; his parents, George and Mary (Phipps) Poppas; sisters, Marylou Miller, Bea Nielsen, Anna Kleiber, and Dorothy Mast and her husband, Max; and brother, Ed Poppas and his wife, Anne. George was born in Sheperdsville, IN February 23, 1923, moving to Kokomo, IN with his family as a young boy. He was one of 13 children born to George and Mary Poppas. He enlisted in the Army at age 16. He retired as a LTC after 26 years of distinguished service, serving in both WWII and the Korean War with valor. He was a pilot in the Army and flew single-engine fixed wing artillery spotter planes in WWII and Korea. He was also qualified as a helicopter pilot. He was a life-long member of the Independent Christian Church serving as an Elder for many years. Most recently, he was a member of Ridgecrest Christian Church in Albuquerque, NM. He loved to play bridge and 3 No Trump was his favorite bid. He was an award winning table tennis player, an eloquent historian with an incredible memory, and a mean man to meet with his yo-yo. He was an amazing and Godly man, father, son, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, father-in-law, uncle, friend, and patriot and the world is a poorer place without him. Psalm 100 v. 5: For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. There will be a Memorial Service celebrating his life on Saturday, August 23, 2014, 10:00 a.m., at the Manzano del Sol Chapel, 5201 Roma Ave. NE in Albuquerque. His ashes will be transported to Kokomo, IN for final interment at Crown Point Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ridgecrest Christian Church 5300 Eastern Ave, SE Albuquerque, NM 87108.