Eight years later, he successfully ran for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives, but later resigned due to acceptance into the U.S. Army.

[1] He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives for St. Johns County to serve in the 1943 session, but soon thereafter resigned to join the U.S. Army to fight in World War II.

[4] During his years of service, which ended in December 1945, he won an Air Medal and Croix de Guerre while serving in Europe.

[3] Sitting as a senator for the next 24 years, Pope was involved in many major decisions during his term, including a revision of the state constitution in 1968, improvements to deaf and blind schooling, and establishing a community college system.

[1] One contribution supported the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board's project of reconstructing the Pellicer-De Burgo House downtown.

Pope died in July 1973 of the bone cancer previously diagnosed a year ago after weeks of deteriorating health, including losing his voice that he was once known for.

[6] His funeral of over 500 people was attended by many prominent Floridian politicians, including former governors Fuller Warren, Farris Bryant, Haydon Burns, Charley Johns, LeRoy Collins along with senator Lawton Chiles and then-governor Reubin Askew.

[2] Known affectionately as "The Lion of St. Johns" from his white flowing hair and "roaring" speaking skills,[1][8] Pope is known mostly for breaking the "rural hold" on the state legislature.

[2][clarification needed] On reflection of his senate career, he remarked "I didn't get much legislation passed but I sure helped get a lot of bad bills killed.