Jesse T Copeland

Jesse was born on February 2, 1944 in Charleston, Missouri to his parents Wilford Copeland and Lorrine Haney Copeland.

Jesse was a career military man of 25 years of service. He entered the U.S. Army in 1961 and retired in 1986 at the rank of First Sergeant. During his service, Jesse spent 8 years in Germany, a year in Vietnam, and 16 years in the U.S. at various duty stations. His branch was Armor Tanks; he also held a position as a Drill Sergeant, where he was responsible for training new recruits and mentoring them for the military as well as an Inspector General, where he was responsible for evaluating the readiness of troops for combat. Jesse earned many awards, which include a Bronze Star Medal, 3 ARCOM Medals, 2Meritorious Service Awards, 2 Military Achievement Awards, 6 Good Conduct Awards, a Vietnam Citation Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, Commander Award, Commander Award for Civilian Service, and numerous letters of appreciation and achievements. Jesse was very proud of his 25 years of service in the U.S. Army and he felt it was a great honor to serve in the great nation of the United States of America.

Jesse had many family and friends and he loved them all dearly. He had a heart of gold, and has always been there for everyone lending a helping hand. He had a compassion for making people laugh with his elaborate stories. Jesse will be missed by all who knew him and will always be remembered.

He was preceded in death by his beautiful and compassionate wife of 59 years, Jodie Warhol Copeland, who went to be with Jesus in 2023; his mother Lorrine Haney Copeland and father Wilford Copeland; 2 sisters Rita Fay Copeland and Fredricka Copeland of Wyatt, Missouri; and 3 brothers James Copeland of Owensboro, Kentucky, Velton Copeland of Blandville, Kentucky and Rick Copeland or Earlville, Illinois.

Jesse was survived by 5 sisters Marma Handley of Crutchfield, Kentucky, Kay Sutton of West Paducah, Kentucky, Anna Haws of West Paducah, Kentucky, Debbie Copeland of Cairo, Illinois, Laura Stucker of Polar Bluff, Missouri; 4 brothers Donald Copeland of Arlington, Kentucky, David Copeland of Wickliffe, Kentucky, Anthony Copeland of Cairo, Illinois, Michael Copeland of Cairo, Illinois. Jesse and his wife Jodie did not have any children of their on. They had many nieces and nephews. They loved them all and enjoyed spending time with each one of them.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday March 5, 2025 at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove at 11am. A meal will be provided duing the time of visitation. Funeral Services will immediately follow the visitation at 12pm. Interment at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery will be at 2pm.