Richard A. Copeland

Richard (Dick), was born at home outside Carlton, Oregon on July 18, 1934 to James and Petey Copeland. He died peacefully in his sleep July 21, 2019 and has been welcomed into the arms of his Heavenly Father.

Richard was the brother of younger sisters Deann and Ginger (Jennifer). He attended Carlton Grade School. He went to McMinnville High School where he met the love of his life, Nancy Arlene McGrew. After graduating in 1952 Richard and Nancy attended Linfield College. When Richard left college, to serve in the Korean War, they were married in McMinnville on February 14, 1954. Richard served in the Army’s Medical Corp., as an X-ray Technician, attached to a 500 bed Field Hospital. They lived where ever Richard was stationed including Texas, Virginia, Maryland and Louisiana. Daughter Cynthia arrived in 1954.

Upon Richard’s completion of active duty with the Army they went home to McMinnville. He returned to Linfield College, working three jobs and graduating with a degree in Business. He went to work at McDaniel Grain and Feed as the bookkeeper. Son Mark arrived in1958.

Richard also served as a Volunteer Fire Fighter in McMinnville. Richard and Nancy had a group of friends they played pinochle with regularly. It was a common sight to see a row of fire fighter boots lined up on the porch of the host's house. When the fire alarm would go off the men would run for their boots and head off to the fire. Leaving behind a living room full of card tables and visiting wives. Richard had maintained close relationships with High School and college friends. Until a few months ago he met with a group once a month for coffee and catch up.

In 1962 Richard moved the family to Portland where he had taken a job with The Merchants Exchange (MEX). A business that served the Maritime Industry by reporting ship arrivals to the Columbia River and compiling and publishing the Imports/Exports from the Port of Portland. Within a year he purchased a home, across the street from a school and park, for $11,500.00. The family lived and grew there for the next 10 years. Daughter Jennifer arrived in 1965.

When Richard went to work at the Merchants Exchange it was thought to be his starter job. When he retired in 1996, as The Executive Director, he had worked there 34 years! Under his direction, the MEX grew from 8 am to 5 pm ship reporting, to a 24/7 ship reporting service with a ship to shore radio system and a 24/7 Maritime Industry answering service. He saw that the MEX provide other services to the industry, a Maritime Service Directory complied and published; headquarters, bookkeeping and secretarial services for maritime organizations including The Propeller Club and The Shipping Club. He worked on the development and implementation of The Clean Rivers Coop to respond to oil spills on the 110 miles of the Columbia River, and was instrumental in creating the Maritime Fire and Safety Assoc. to respond to vessel fires anywhere on the Columbia River system. Richard developed and expanded the services of The Merchants Exchange, enjoying every minute of it. He was also pleased and proud that all of his children had worked at the MEX in various positions at one time or another. After retirement he often said how blessed he was to have truly loved his job.

Richard was an active, 40 year, member of the Gresham First Baptist Church. He served on the Diaconate and finance committee where his expertise on budgets was appreciated.

Family vacations were spent camping. Richard enjoyed camping with Nancy and their kids. He loved finding camp grounds way off the beaten path. Way, way off. His very favorite places were actually not camp grounds at all. One time when camping at Little Redwood, up the Chetco River outside of Brookings, he decided there were too many people. He found a spot across the river to set up “a dry” camp. All the camping gear and family were ferried across the water in a small inflatable raft. As well as Nancy’s parents and aunt and uncle who came up to visit! It was a beautiful place and one of the best camps ever. Richard and Nancy’s love of camping and this special family time was passed on. So there were also many camping trips with their adult children. Some took place on Richards property at Crooked River Ranch. Most, however, were at the Oregon Coast on the sand dunes. Here the families love of the beach and dunes were enjoyed by all with the dune buggy, quads and sand rail. Yes, Richard and Nancy rode quads on the dunes with their kids and grandkids loving every minute of it. In fact Richard rode his blue Yamaha Wolverine 450 cc furl injected four wheel drive with agressive off road tires until he was eighty years old.

Deer hunting with family and friends was greatly enjoyed. A favorite place was “The Ranch” in Eastern Oregon. The property had a dilapidated old house that the hunters shared with various critters. Richard loved the story of the morning they woke to a skunk in the kitchen. The stinker kept the houseful of early rising hunters, more importantly their cook, in bed way past sunrise!

Throughout the late 80’s and into the 90’s Richard and Nancy traveled and loved it. Their two favorite cities where, Savannah and New Orleans. However their favorite place was Molokai, HI. They loved its beauty and the quietness of their “private beach”. They returned there many times to the rest and relaxation they found in this lovely place.

Richard shared a love of car racing and NASCAR with son Mark. Together they owned a car that Mark raced at Portland Speed Way, for 3 years, with Richard as Crew Chief. In addition they attended NASCAR and Indy Car racing events. During NASCAR season the two of them could be found in front of the TV every Sunday watching the races.

In 2001 Richard and Nancy designed their dream home. The “Little Yellow House on the Hill” was built with its views of Portland all the way to Washington and the Cascades. It quickly became a place to watch and enjoy the wildlife, birds and the ever-changing seasons. Richard favorite room was his “Den” with his roll top desk, a book case of Louise L’Amour westerns, a wall of plaques and awards presented to him for various purposes and occasions and decorated with pictures, paintings and collectables showing his love of and interest in Hawaii, New Orleans, tall ships, old trains, quads, car racing, hawks, the “west” and John Wayne. The love of John Wayne was enjoyed with daughter Cynthia as the two watched his movies together and shared his books. Richard and Nancy’s home was filled with love, happiness and family times. Nancy lived there until her passing in 2007 and Richard until his passing this July.

Richard is survived by three children, Cynthia Marchione (Curt) Port Orchard, WA; Mark Copeland (Cindy) Gresham, OR; Jennifer Mandaville Ridgeway, CO; five grandchildren, Rebecca Redmon (Brandon) Newport, NC; Sarah McKinley (Bryan) Katy, Texas; Jasper Mandaville Denver, CO; Emily Mandaville Eureka, CA and Delilah Mandaville Ridgeway, CO; six great grandchildren, Bryan, Marissa, Braydon and Kayla, Newport, NC; Emma Grace and William, Katy Texas and sister Jennifer Bettencourt (Fil) San Jose, CA.

Richard’s family and friends remember him fondly, with love and want to celebrate his life. A memorial service will be held August 31, 2019 at 2:00pm at Gresham First Baptist Church in Gresham.

Memorial remembrances can be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. (www.alz.org).