James Henry Copeland, Jr. was born on December 4, 1930, the youngest and only son of five children born to James and Fay Copeland of Kansas City, MO. Most of his boyhood was spent in Davenport, Iowa. He was always interested in sports and as a young man he wanted to be a sports caster. He attended Davenport High School and graduated in 1948. James attended Beloit College and studied Sociology. A natural athlete, James was a starter on the college baseball team but really excelled at intramural sports. He was named Outstanding Intramural Athlete of the Year two years in a row.
In 1947 James was appointed as Cadet Sergeant in the ROTC. On July 25, 195,2 he received is his orders and was inducted into the army. He served in Korea in the 48th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division – Battery B until May 21, 1954. He received the Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze Service Stars – Good Conduct Medal – United Nations Service Medal – National Defense Service Medal. Always the athlete, he was noted for the most distance and accuracy in the hand grenade throw and was part of the 7th Infantry Division volleyball championship team (1953). He achieved the rank of Sergeant(T).
Upon returning from Korea, he was set up on a blind date with a vibrant young school teacher. Their first date was on June 5, 1954. James married Marilyn Cogley on June 25, 1955 and their time together spanned 64 years. They had four children – Jody, Jim, Julie and John.
Jim and Marilyn made their home in several communities in the early years; Davenport, IA, Indianapolis, IN, Fort Dodge, IA and then settling in Jefferson, IA in 1961. Jim became a partner in an insurance agency of which he later became sole owner. He was very involved in the community and was co-recipient of the Chamber’s ABC Award along with Marilyn. He was a Little League coach. He also served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, Genesis Development, Lions Club, the American Legion and Secretary of Farmers Mutual Insurance. James was extremely active as a lay reader in the Trinity Episcopal Church of Carroll, IA.
The Copelands hosted several foreign exchange students from at least eight countries through AFS and Rotary. James and Marilyn were enthusiastic travelers visiting many countries. James was a dedicated family man, always there for his children and friends. He had boyhood friends who remained close.
James was a life-long (starting at age 7) Cubs fan and lived to watch a World Series win in 2016.
James was preceded in death by his lovely wife Marilyn, his parents James & Fay and sisters Nancy Joy, Virginia Clingman, Janet Squire and Constance Lynn, Raj Marphatia, and son-in-law Terry Lang.
He is survived by his children: Jody Lang of Jefferson, James M. Copeland of Phoenix, Julie (Bill) Tvedt of Oskaloosa, and John Copeland of the Dominican Republic; eight grandchildren: Samarah Vermeer, Simeon Lang, Cameron Copeland, Erin Anderegg, Elizabeth Wagner, Sam Tvedt, Nathan Tvedt, Rachel Schmitt; and twelve great grandchildren, Truet and Reece Vermeer, Ellie, Titus and Jonas Wagner, Judah, Shiloh and Roman Tvedt, Selah and Nava Tvedt, Amelia Schmitt and Rory Anderegg, A 13th great grandchild is due in January; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
However you were connected to James, thank you for honoring him today.
Funeral services were held August 22 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, Iowa. Interment with military rites was at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery.
