The Honorable Ronald R. Pope, Judge District 328th Court, Fort Bend County, Texas 2003-2018.“ He always ruled in favor of the child.”
Ronald R. Pope was born on November 13, 1947, to Ray and Billie Pope in Navasota, Texas, and passed away on August 2, 2025, in Sugar Land, Texas.
He graduated from Needville High School in 1966. On June 6, 1966, Ron received an appointment by Congressman F. Edward Hebert to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He played football for Navy that first year. After the season ended, the boxing coach approached him to try out for the boxing team. He not only qualified for the team but won the Navy Regimental Championship as a light heavyweight against a Marine Corp veteran by TKO.
During the summer of 1967, Ron served on the USS Newport News, the US Second Fleet flagship at the time. On the ship the midshipmen served as unlisted men billets. ” We had the privilege of stoning the ship’s wooden deck.” While on maneuvers with the second fleet, the ship sailed in the Atlantic Ocean to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Puerto Rico and then back to Newport News, Virginia. On November 8, 1967, Ron received an honorable discharge after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Ron graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he worked as a part time policeman to pay his college and personal expenses. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from The University of Texas School of Law, where he graduated third in his class. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi legal honor society. Before becoming a district judge, Judge Pope practiced law as a partner in Foster, Pope, Orsak and Hoke Law Firm in Sugar Land and Pope, Orsak, and Hoke Law Firm in Richmond. In 2003 he was sworn in as Judge of the 328th District Court in Fort Bend County, Texas, where he remained until his retirement in 2018.
Former Texas Congressman, Tom DeLay approached Judge Pope about starting an Infant and Toddler Court. In 2005, the first Court Team for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers was established under the direction of Judge Pope. The Infant and Toddler program was an outgrowth of a national pilot for the Zero to Three program with goals to enhance the court to keep infants and toddlers safe, heal trauma, preserve and support families where possible, and to divert children from further involvement in the child welfare or criminal justice systems. With the assistance of Dr. Connie Almeda, Community Coordinator for Zero to Three, they started the court team in Fort Bend County. Judge Pope then worked with Judge Bonnie Crane Hellums to establish the program and a court team in Harris County.
The 328th District Court in Fort Bend County was one of five courts nationwide and the first in Texas to begin initiatives for infants and toddlers. It was the first court in Texas to focus on serving young children. The leadership and commitment of Judge Ronald Pope laid the foundation for courts, child welfare, child serving agencies, CASA, and attorneys to recognize the importance of the intervention in the critical early years in child development to heal trauma and prevent recurrence of abuse. This program was near and dear to Judge Pope’s heart, and he continued with it through his retirement in 2018.
In 2018, Judge Pope was named Child Advocate of the Year by Fort Bend Child Advocates. “Judge Pope embodies the mission and passion for the work of Child Advocates. He has gone above and beyond, and his actions and his influence will have long-lasting impact not only for the children we serve, but for our entire community,” according to CASA CEO, Ruthane Mefford. “He used his judicial platform to increase awareness among those who work with maltreated infants and toddlers and has been the change agent to improve outcomes.”
His Professional and Community Affiliations include: The Texas Children’s Commission, the State Bar of Texas, Fort Bend County Bar Association, Local Bar Services Committee of the State Bar, the Fort Bend Museum Association, Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, Central Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, Dispute Resolution Center Advisory Board, Board of Directors Fort Bend Senior Citizens, Richmond Park Board, Fort Bend Fair Association Life Member, University of Texas Alumni Association, Needville Athletic Booster Club, The Cousteau Society, Texas Nature Conservancy, Sugar Land Exchange Club, and Saint Luke's United Methodist Church.
Judge Pope was preceded in death by his grandparents, Steve and Fannie Stefan, his parents, Ray and Billie Pope, son, Chad Barnes, and brother-in-law, Joe Gregory.
He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Carolyne Pope of Richmond, children Jeff Pope and wife Crystal of Katy Texas, Jonathan and Amber Pope of El Campo, Texas, Bret Barnes and Lorie LeFevre of Watertown, New York, and Christen and Jason Harris of Long Island, Bahamas. Grandchildren include Trenton Barnes, Korbin Barnes, Brady Pope, Cameron Pope, Greyleigh Pope, Grady Pope and Lauryn Williams. Each of them gave much love and joy to their “Paw Paw.” He is also survived by his sister, Donna Gregory of Needville, sister-in-law, Janice Koym and husband Donnie of Aransas Pass, and nephews, Jason Gregory, Justin Gregory, and Todd Koym.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Jackie Ortiz, Sonia Joseph, and others of Safari Hospice and the staff, especially Med Tech Ome Ayemere, and management of The Village at Sugar Land, who provided excellent care for Judge Pope.
The family requests that donations in Judge Pope’s memory be made to Child Advocates of Fort Bend County, Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Honorable Brady Elliott, Honorable Walter Armatys, Neil Kalinowski, Lester Van Slyke, Honorable James Shoemake, and Wendell Robison.
A Graveside Service with military honors will be held at 10 AM Friday, August 8, 2025, at Waller Public Cemetery, Waller, TX 77484.
A Memorial Service will be 2:00 PM Friday, August 8, 2025, at St. John's United Methodist Church, 400 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469..
Condolence messages may be written for the Pope family at www.garmanycarden.com
Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.
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Updated:18 August 2025
Curator: Ed Moore