Robert Popeye Cole Remembered As Former Ole Miss Baseball Player, Teacher, Coach, And Mentor After Passing At Age 60
Robert Cole, known as Popeye, died on April 29, 2026, at the age of 60.
A memorial fund created on May 6, 2026, by Popeye's Ole Miss Teammates had raised $6,900 of a $10,000 goal through 18 donations.
Robert made history in 1984 as the first Black player signed to a baseball scholarship at Ole Miss by Coach Jake Gibbs.
Before Ole Miss, Robert played one year at Meridian Community College, then lettered for three years as a right fielder.
Robert later served as a teacher and coach at Meridian High School and continued that work after moving to Tampa, Florida, in 2018.
Robert leaves family members Tabitha, Brianna, Desiree, Jaylon, Tyler, Maudelene, William, Greg, Evette, Michael, and Maria, along with many former teammates and students.
Memorial service details will be announced later by the family.
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