Dennis Eugene Copenhaver

Our beloved Dennis Eugene Copenhaver, better known to all as “Gene” and to his family as “Papa”, lost his 10-month battle with cancer on October 1, 2023 surrounded by love and family in Spring, Texas. He was born July 19, 1946 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was the seventh and final child of Charles and Venus Copenhaver. He bragged of finally being “the pretty one they could love.”

Gene is survived by his wife Karlene, his daughter Gina Koczynski and her husband Tom, his son Scott Copenhaver and his wife Debbie. Grandchildren: Caitlyn Aizpiri and her husband Pablo, Nathan Koczynski and his wife Vanessa, Cody Copenhaver, and Nikki Copenhaver. Also great-grandchildren: Pearson Koczynski and Andrew Aizpiri. His honorary granddaughters are Jessica Chaidez and Elisabeth Simpson. He is also survived by his sister Mary Darling of Ahwahnee, California, his brother-in-law Neil Gray, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gene was a much loved husband and cherished as “Papa”. Through his life he gathered many friends around him and considered them family. When asked what his life’s passions were, his response was “family and woodworking.”

As a child, Gene moved with his family from Oklahoma to California, then to Missouri, and back to California again. He recounted his childhood fondly: his father teaching him to hunt small game in Missouri, his mother’s wild blackberry jelly rolls, and going to school for a time in a one-room schoolhouse in Missouri. He attended high school in California where he met the love of his life in sophomore English class. They married at age 18. They recently celebrated their 59th anniversary.

Gene’s career was a plant operator in oil and gas, but one of his first and favorite jobs was at a cabinet making shop where his love of woodworking grew. He had an artistic talent which he explored through many mediums including: painting, clay modeling, welding, stained glass and glass fusion, but woodworking was truly his passion. He became a master woodworker and carver who could, and did, make anything out of wood. His beautiful carvings amazed people.

His goal when dealing with his new cancer diagnosis was to live long enough to see his second great grandchild born and he succeeded! He even was blessed to have many snuggles with the new baby which made his heart happy.

Dealing with esophageal and bone cancer was NOT easy, but he was kind and thoughtful to everyone at MD Anderson Cancer Center who worked with him - grace under pressure for sure. He especially enjoyed giving wooden toys that he had made to nurses and doctors. He also encouraged everyone on his care team who came into his room to watch his favorite movie, Second Hand Lions.

Gene was a dreamer and a giver and will be missed forever. We are thankful that he is at peace and at home with his Lord.

A visitation for Dennis will be held Monday, October 9, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384. A celebration of life will occur Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM. A reception will occur Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384.

For anyone wishing to donate in his name, donations can be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkthewoodlands.com for the Copenhaver family.