James M. Copolo

James Michael (Mike) Copolo was called home to heaven on Saturday, July 11th, 2026. Born on November 21, 1954 in Bluefield, West Virginia to Frank and Mae Copolo, he has called North Myrtle Beach home for 15 years. However, the beach has been the place he called home in his heart for much longer than that. It is where he formed so many special childhood and family memories over the years- like vacations at the Voyager and dinners at Hoskins with his mom, dad and brother, oyster shooters with his kids at Bimini’s (once they were of legal age, of course!), and time spent with his local crew at Deckerz and Sugrue’s. The beach is where he met the love of his life, Karen Copolo (Mahood), and finally convinced her to move after many years of raising their family in Bluefield, WV. Together, they built their dream life in NMB, enjoying retirement and building a family of friends across the beach.

A lover of airplanes, motorcycles and American muscle cars, Mike has always been piloting or driving things that go fast and make a lot of noise. His restoration of his 1969 GTX and 1965 Mustang (twice!) were cherished hobbies. Mike was a graduate of Bluefield High School and was a huge fan of Beaver football, especially when Michelle cheered and Cory was on the team, but he never missed the chance to listen to a Beaver game. Mike graduated from Bluefield State College with his Bachelor’s degree, and went on to obtain his M.B.A from West Virginia University. He passionately followed Mountaineer sports (creating a friendly family rivalry with both of his Marshall University educated children).

Mike was a celebrated and successful retired pharmaceutical sales rep, known to many as Dr. Mikey for his sound advice. However, never one to sit still for long, he used his lifelong knowledge of the beach back roads to build a second career after retirement as the most reliable driver for anyone who needed a ride; once he even shuttled a dog to the airport to join their family who had moved to Hawaii! If you were in his car, you were in the “best hands in America”, but you’d better hold on to your hat, because he’d get you there fast! He will always be remembered for his generosity of spirit, and willingness to do or give anything to help anyone in need. Mike was a friend to all, and a stranger to none. A truly one of a kind human whose essence cannot be distilled into a simple obituary.

Mike was also a longtime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, serving several terms as the Exalted Ruler of Bluefield Lodge 269. We raise an 11 o’clock toast in his honor. Living or dead, Elks are never forgotten, never forsaken.

Mike loved a cold Coors Light (or a few) and a good time; beach music, golf, cooking the most incredible food you’d ever eaten (typically enough to feed an army, even if it was just a family dinner), a perfect sunrise or sunset over the ocean or East River Mountain, ice cream, jumping in the Atlantic with his kids on Christmas Day - just because he could, the United States of America, and most of all, being “Pops” to his two grandkids.

Strong of faith, Mike had a close relationship with the Lord (and said the best, most powerful prayers before dinner). While devastated by his untimely death, we take solace in the knowledge that he arrived in heaven, said “Hey God…” and was greeted as a friend.

Mike is survived by his wife, Karen, his children Michelle Elyse Copolo-Ziemer (Michael) of Buffalo, NY, Cory Michael Copolo (Kelsey) of Charleston WV, his beloved grandchildren Frances Mae (Frankie) Ziemer, and Connor Brooks Copolo, his brother Thomas Kelly (Tom) Copolo (Cindy), nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends who were his extended chosen family far and wide.

Mike would want his life to be celebrated, our tears to be dried, and memories to be shared over cold beers in his favorite places. Please come as you are, and if possible, wear his favorite color, yellow, as we celebrate his life and the legacy of joy he brought to all lucky enough to know him. We will celebrate Mike’s life on Friday, July 24,2026 at 5 pm on the beach (enter at The Horseshoe, 101 Main Street, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582), immediately followed by a reception at Sugrue’s Pub & Eatery (1200 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582)

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of any of the following organizations that meant so much to Dad:

Golisano Children’s Hospital of Buffalo in honor of Frankie, Charleston Area Medical Center Women’s and Children’s Hospital in honor of Connor, The Wounded Warrior Fund, The Tunnel to Towers Foundation or The West Virginia Elks State Major Project. (As an aside, it was terribly hard to narrow this list down, Dad gave to so many deserving organizations!)

Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River is serving the family.