Dale Copeland

Tuesday, September 19, 2023, Dale “Cope” deWitt Copeland, 78, a resident of Alma, Arkansas passed away suddenly in Fayetteville, Arkansas while involved in a motorcycle/vehicle accident. Dale was born on July 5, 1945 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Floyd deWitt Copeland and Beatrice Conrad Copeland.

Dale was married to Ramona “Mona” Moody beginning in 1968, and had two children: Stephanie Copeland and Stephan Copeland.

He married Tracy Flickinger in 2016, who predeceased him in 2020.

Dale grew up in Fort Smith and graduated from Northside High School. He joined the army where he achieved the rank of Captain and flew helicopters in the Vietnam War. After returning home, he was a Police Officer with the Fort Smith Police Department until his retirement in 1996, doing many patrols on a motorcycle. He attended New Hope Methodist Church in Van Buren.

One characteristic of Dale that many knew was that he was an avid model railroader. He also collected models of other vehicles, whether they were trains, cars, trucks, tractors, or aircraft. Not afraid to share his mind, Dale was adamant about his opinions on practically everything.

Dale was survived by the following: his daughter, Stephanie Moore; his son, Stephan Copeland (and Victoria Myers); his step-daughters Johanna Reyes and Amber Adamson; the mother of his children Mona Lejman; his two sisters Linda and Teresa; his grandchildren Patrick (Rachel) Sanford, Kristina Copeland (Jon), Wesley Copeland (Mandy) Aubrey Ballenger (Bob), Ryan Hermer, Jacob Myers, Carter Reyes and seven great-grandchildren; longtime friend Richard Daugherty; Buffy and Sarge his beloved dogs.

A memorial graveside service will be held with military honors at the Fort Smith National Cemetery on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Lynn Strang will oversee the service. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations in his memory to go to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust.

Cremation is under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.