In 1954, David’s father, James Pope began driving a truck and
hauling potatoes from Colorado and West Texas into the Dallas
Farmers Market.
In 1956, James and his brother Billy formed their business,
James’ Produce and Billy’s Produce and each began a produce
route servicing independent grocery stores and restaurants in
the North Texas Area. Both continued their independent
operations until James’ untimely death in an automobile
accident in 1965.
Billy Pope continued his produce operation and David Pope
began working for him while still in high school, loading and
stacking and delivering to the customer. At this time, pallets
were not utilized and all the product was stacked on the floor
of the trailer by hand and unloaded by hand at each stop.
Upon graduation, David joined his uncle Billy and grew the
business from one small bobtail operation to a small fleet of trucks.
In 1988, David and his wife Joy purchased the company from Billy, who was retiring and formed David Pope
Produce. He continued to service independent grocery stores, restaurants and food service customers
until 1999, when his major customer, Texoma Piggly Wiggly, sold.
Knowing he would have to diversify, he began contract hauling loads from Texas to Oklahoma for Combs
Produce in Dallas, Texas. It wasn’t long until David had a fleet of trucks and was hauling 48 states. He has
steadily continued to gain more business through the years due to his hard work and customer relations.
In 2003, David’s son John joined the
business upon graduating college with a
degree in Business Administration.
His attention to detail and determination has
propelled the business forward.
In April 2006, due to the declining numbers
of independent grocery customers, David
closed his produce operation and focused
solely on the trucking side of the business.
Today, The Pope Group is a very successful
multi-million dollar refrigerated carrier.
David at age 53, still works seven days a week keeping his trucks moving and going the extra mile to keep
his customers happy with unparalleled service.
hauling potatoes from Colorado and West Texas into the Dallas
Farmers Market.
In 1956, James and his brother Billy formed their business,
James’ Produce and Billy’s Produce and each began a produce
route servicing independent grocery stores and restaurants in
the North Texas Area. Both continued their independent
operations until James’ untimely death in an automobile
accident in 1965.
Billy Pope continued his produce operation and David Pope
began working for him while still in high school, loading and
stacking and delivering to the customer. At this time, pallets
were not utilized and all the product was stacked on the floor
of the trailer by hand and unloaded by hand at each stop.
Upon graduation, David joined his uncle Billy and grew the
business from one small bobtail operation to a small fleet of trucks.
In 1988, David and his wife Joy purchased the company from Billy, who was retiring and formed David Pope
Produce. He continued to service independent grocery stores, restaurants and food service customers
until 1999, when his major customer, Texoma Piggly Wiggly, sold.
Knowing he would have to diversify, he began contract hauling loads from Texas to Oklahoma for Combs
Produce in Dallas, Texas. It wasn’t long until David had a fleet of trucks and was hauling 48 states. He has
steadily continued to gain more business through the years due to his hard work and customer relations.
In 2003, David’s son John joined the
business upon graduating college with a
degree in Business Administration.
His attention to detail and determination has
propelled the business forward.
In April 2006, due to the declining numbers
of independent grocery customers, David
closed his produce operation and focused
solely on the trucking side of the business.
Today, The Pope Group is a very successful
multi-million dollar refrigerated carrier.
David at age 53, still works seven days a week keeping his trucks moving and going the extra mile to keep
his customers happy with unparalleled service.
click image to view larger size
2001. David, John and Dustin.
