Jack "Tex" Copeland

Jack “Tex” Ernest Copeland, 77, of Yakima, died peacefully at his home after a brave battle with two bouts of cancer, Monday, November 22, 2010. Jack was born January, 23, 1933 in Vivian, Louisiana, to Jackson and Ruby (Terry) Copeland.

After graduating from high school in Victoria, Texas in 1952, he worked on several oil rigs, was a welder, pipefitter, mechanic, a real “Jack” of all trades. He then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. While on maneuvers at the Yakima Firing Center, he met the love of his life, Mary Moorehead of Yakima. They were married August 14, 1954.

After his enlistment ended, the couple moved to the South, and then the East Coast, where he continued as a pipefitter until they moved back to Yakima in 1958. He retired from Pace International, formerly known as Evergreen Garden Products of Parker, WA. in 1995, as the General Superintendent.

Jack truly loved the outdoors. He loved to take the family camping and fishing, even in the pouring rain. Over the years, he was a hunter of deer and elk, sporting rifle or bow and arrow, whichever the season. Family vacations were always an adventure; trips down the Pacific Ocean Coastline, to Disneyland, and the Florida beaches. He was a loving husband, dad, friend, “Gramps” and “Papa Jack”.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary; his daughters, Jeanie (Kevin) Kirby, Jackie Copeland; sons, Jay Copeland, Jeff Copeland; grandsons, Shawn (Heather) Copeland, Phillip Radke (Eliza), Jared and Derek Kirby; two great-granddaughters, Gillian and Taylor Copeland, all of Yakima; one sister, Joann (Glenn) Guy of Vivian, LA; brother-in-law, Charles Moorehead of Yakima; several nieces and nephews. Also long time friends, Norm and Joyce Kuhlmann of Yakima.

Memorial Services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 27, 2010 at Keith and Keith Terrace Heights Chapel.

The family would like to thank the staff at Apple Valley Medical Center, Memorial Hospital, and North Star Lodge for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Star Volunteer services in care of Keith and Keith Funeral Home. To share a memory of Jack, visit www.keithandkeith.com.