James Lavon Pope

James “Lavon” Pope, 90, of Austell, passed away on July 1, 2025, in his favorite recliner. Known as “Lavon” during his childhood, he was born on December 30, 1934, in Climax, GA, the son of Robert Augustus Pope and Voncile Sellers.

After growing up on South Georgia farms, Lavon enlisted in the Air Force where he became part of the Strategic Air Command with top secret clearance, a designation he carried into a 12-year civilian service career. In the early 70s, James embarked on a new career as a Piano Man that would involve tuning and restoring Atlanta’s pianos for the next 55 years. He had a natural affinity for music and could play any stringed instrument. At 60, James married fellow musician, Jackie Kilpatrick. The loves of one another’s lives, they were married for 28 years.

Known for his kindness, capacity for love and wicked sense of humor, James is survived by his son Parris Pope and his wife Diana Pope and their two daughters, Carey Leigh Pope and Grace Ann Pope of Suwanee, Georgia, and his daughter, Joy Pope and her two daughters, Maya Lucia Pope Alandete and Callia Soleil Pope Alandete of Decatur, GA.