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Captain Alfred Lovell Cope, United States Navy (Retired), age 94, died at his Rancho Santa Fe, California, residence on Thursday, April 29, 2004, following a courageous battle with cancer. Alfred was born December 14, 1909, in Savannah, Georgia, to the late Robert Sydney and Mary Lovell Cope. He attended Savannah schools through high school. Alfred attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1932 as an Ensign with a Bachelors of Science in Engineering. While at the Academy, he distinguished himself lettering in both boxing and golf. He married Esther Arabelle Moyer in Coca Solo, Panama, on February 6, 1937. Esther preceded Alfred in death on March 8, 1986. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War. Alfred was stationed aboard the destroyer USS Blue (DD-387) in port at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In July 1943, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery while serving as an Airship Patrol ( Blimp) Squadron Commander conducting anti-submarine warfare, patrol, and escort along the South Eastern coast of the United States. Alfred was one of the United States Navy's rare "Triple Threats", meaning he was qualified to command in United States Navy aviation, submarines, and surface craft. Highlights of his Naval career were serving as the Commanding Officer of: Blimp Squadrons ZP-21 at Naval Air Station Richmond, Florida, and ZP-2 at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey; destroyer USS Hawkins (DD-873); Naval Air Stations Glynco, Georgia, Atsugi, Japan, Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. Additionally, Alfred served as the Commander, Fleet Air Detachment, Elizabeth City, North Carolina; Commander, Fleet Airship Wing Two at Naval Air Station Richmond, Florida; and Commander, Fleet Airship Wing One at Naval Air Station Weeksville, North Carolina, and at Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey, commanding all blimp operations on the East Coast. Alfred retire d from the United States Navy in 1959 and went on to manage the Rancho Santa Fe Association. On December 29, 1987, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Bette" Burns Cunningham in Rancho Santa Fe, California. In recent years, Alfred enjoyed going dancing with his wife, attending his Navy reunions, and getting together with family and friends. While Alfred remained a member of the Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia, he attended and was active in the Rancho Santa Fe Village Church. He was a member of the Navy League, the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association (Vice President of the Class of 1932), the Naval Airship Association, Rotary International, the Military Order of the World Wars, the Distinguished Flying Cross Association, the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, and the American Legion, among many other organizations. Alfred is survived by his wife, Bette; his son Lieutenant Commander Alfred L. Cope Jr., United States Navy (Retired), and wife Cherry of Virginia Beach, Virginia; his daughter Robin C. Parrow and husband Thomas of Chino Valley, Arizona; his son William M. Cope and wife Barbara of Escondido, California; his son Dr. Thomas M. Cope of Rancho Santa Fe, California; his brother James E. Cope of Savannah, Georgia; and his sister-in-law Anne Cope of Hendersonville, North Carolina. Also surviving are ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Emily Fennell and Mary Sweat; and three brothers, Robert, John, and Ansley Cope. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 22, 2004 at the Rancho Santa Fe Village Community Presbyterian Church. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the San Diego Hospice, 4311 Third Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103-1407; the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, P.O. Box 555006, Camp Pendleton, CA 92055-5006; or the charity of one's choice. Sa vannah Morning News, May 9, 2004 Please sign our Obituary Guestbook at www.savannahnow.com Published in Savannah Morning News on May 9, 2004

Alfred Cope (1909)