Bobby Cope

March 11, 2015, at the age of 78, at his home in Redlands.

For the past 30 years, Bobby worked for the Veterans Alcohol Rehabilitation Program

(VARP), serving as the Executive Director for the past 25 years. In recovery for nearly 40 years,

Bobby was committed to the principles of recovery and redemption and, through his work at

VARP, helped improve the lives of thousands in need of a second chance. Under Bobby’s

leadership, VARP expanded to become the largest residential treatment program in San

Bernadino County, with 10 facilities in the Inland Empire.

A native of Tennessee, Bobby was born December 23, 1936 in Livingston, the fourth son

of Lee Vadus Cope and Bethel Rose Cope. He grew up on the family farm, and later enjoyed

recounting his many adventures as a young man in Tennessee. He headed west at a young age,

and proudly served in the United States Navy as a sailmaker aboard the U.S.S. Hector.

After his discharge from the Navy, Bobby remained in Tennessee and married his first

wife, Alberta Cullom, a union that produced his beautiful daughter Kimberly. After returning to

California, Bobby met and married Ellen Anderson in 1990, and was a loving father to her two

children Kristen and Lincoln.

Bobby loved classic cars, and was the proud owner of several award-winning hot rods, as

well as several beloved Harley Davidson motorcycles. He enjoyed participating in local car

shows, and was a fixture at several, including the Route 66 Car Show in San Bernardino. He also

doted on his beloved retrievers, and there was no better place for a dog than the Cope house.

Most of all, Bobby loved his family, and there was nothing he liked better than spending time

with wife Ellen, his daughter Kimberly Draper and granddaughter MacKenna Draper, his step

daughter Kristen Bristow, her husband David, and their children Kathryn, Elizabeth and

Anderson, and his step son Lincoln Anderson and his wife, Dana Hayden.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Carvel, Edward and Harold.

A celebration of life will be held at Montecito Memorial Park, 3520 East Washington

Street, Colton, on Thursday, March 19, 2015, at 1 p.m In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that

you consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in the name of Bobby Glen Cope.