Joe Mack Roy, better known as "Pop" to his family and "Pop Watch" friends around the globe, sits on his front porch with a can of Dr. Pepper, his favorite drink, in this undated photo. (Contributed photo)

Around the world and at home in Longview, Joe Mack Roy was known as “Pop.”

And he hated when his favorite pop, Dr Pepper, went flat. It was one of the many topics he complained about on camera, much to the delight of his millions of fans around the globe who watched his rants and ramblings on “Pop Watch” videos, which appeared on social media platforms.

Roy never planned to become a social media celebrity. His grandson, Jason Roy, started filming his antics and posting them on social media. Originally, the goal of the videos was to keep family far away up-to-speed on what Pop was up to.

But when a celebrity shared one of those videos, the world noticed — and laughed. There’s a reason why he had almost 6 million social media followers and more than 7 billion views: Pop was the kind of grumpy grandpa many could relate to and love, said his granddaughter, CBS19 journalist Reagan Roy.

When Pop died Wednesday night at the age of 90, fans were devastated, Reagan Roy said. But the joy Pop brought won’t end. The videos that have been posted on social media will stay there, and there are more to come.

“Jason has an arsenal of videos that have never been published,” Reagan Roy said.

Pop’s death made headlines around the world. International news outlets such as The Daily Mail, TMZ and The U.S. Sun broke the news alongside smiling photos of the quick-witted grandfather, whose crotchety demeanor and humor — his curmudgeonly commentary on everyday life — endeared him to people everywhere.

Pop’s fame started in 2017. Reagan Roy didn’t realize how significant a celebrity he’d become until her wedding about five years ago when Pop got up to dance.

“All these people at my wedding were taking pictures with him and dancing with him,” Reagan Roy said. “It just blows up on social media. … I’m just going, ‘This has been the same person that I have known my entire life.’ ”

But although the family came to realize how influential their grandpa had become, Pop “was just oblivious to how big this had gotten,” Reagan Roy said.

Pop was the same on camera as he was off camera. He was a huge sports fan, and he taught Reagan Roy to drive in the parking lot at Spring Hill High School. (Pop served on the district school board years ago, and trustees paid their respects to Pop during their meeting Thursday night.)

“He made the absolute best cheese and bacon sandwiches,” Reagan Roy said. “That’s probably not something that people request very often, but it’s the best thing ever.”

The Eastman Chemical Co. retiree was a little league softball coach, too. During one practice, Reagan Roy wasn’t paying attention. Pop warned her, but she didn’t start focusing. Pop threw the ball and, well, popped her in the forehead.

“He was like, ‘See, that’s what you get for not paying attention,’ ” Reagan Roy said. “I always paid attention after that.”

Jason Roy and Pop were close, Reagan Roy said. But even if they never met him in person, Pop’s fans feel the same way. The family has received an outpouring of support.

The news of his death could make Pop Watch even more beloved and renowned, Reagan Roy said. People who hadn’t heard of him before now have and have seen his videos.

“It’s been incredible to watch,” she said.

In the future, Jason Roy may write a book about his life with Pop.

“Everybody’s got a Pop in their life,” Reagan Roy said. “If we can keep reminding them of their Pop using our Pop, then that’s what we want to do.”

Reagan Roy’s message to families is this: If you’ve got parents, grandparents and siblings in your life whom you love, record their stories. You won’t regret it.

“It ensures that, even though these people will pass on and move on physically, they are always going to be there, and those memories are always going to be there,” she said.

Pop is survived by his wife, Maria; a son, Billy; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, according to his obituary.

Visitation is scheduled 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 28 at Elmira Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 3501 Elmira Drive in Longview. The funeral will follow.