Gary Popp, 20, Dies in Cycle Accident

Gary Allen Popp, 20, Rt. 1, suffered fatal injuries in a motorcycle accident at the west edge of Atlantic at 12:58 a.m. Sunday.

It was the second fatal motorcycle accident here in two months.

Tammy Sue Paulson, 19, of Brayton, a passenger on the motorcycle, was treated at the Cass County Memorial Hospital and released, City Police reported.  Popp was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police Chief Duane Avey said the accident is still under investigation.  He said Popp was observed by a police officer operating a Honda motorcycle at a high rate of speed while traveling west on Seventh.

Avey reported the officer turned his patrol car around to make a traffic stop and observed that the motorcycle had accelerated.  Popp's motorcycle failed to make the curve near Jim's Super Market and left the roadway, traveling 446 feet after leaving the road before it struck a fence post, the Police Chief said.

Funeral services for Mr. Popp will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Roland Funeral Home, with the Rev. Al Hazelton of the First Assembly of God Church officiating.  Interment will be in the Atlantic Cemetary.

The son of Eugene Howard and Marilyn Leslie Popp, he was born in Atlantic Feb. 21, 1962, and lived his entire life here attending the Atlantic school system.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Blanchard of rural Atlantic; a sister, Diane Popp of Atlantic; two brothers, David Popp and Zachary Blanchard, both of Atlantic; a step-sister, Mrs. Frances Nissen of Elk Horn; his paternal grandmother, Eldren Popp of Avoca; and a number of aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his father, who died May 26, 1965; his paternal grandfather, Irwin Popp and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Leslie.