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Mark Douglas Copeland

Mark Copeland Obituary

Mark Douglas Copeland, 44, of Fuquay-Varina, NC, died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Florida on Tuesday, September 11, 2007. He was a freelance videographer and was filming a speedboat when the accident occurred. At the time of his death he was doing the things he loved most: television photography, helicopters and boats.
Mark was born on January 13, 1963 in Athens, TN.
He moved with his family to Oak Ridge when he was seven years old and attended Linden Elementary and then Robertsville Jr. High, where he played for the Robertsville Rams. While at the ORHS Mark played for the Wildcats and became interested in all aspects of television production. After school he worked at Tennessee Cablevision as a studio cameraman, and upon graduation in 1981 he started working for WATE- TV6 in Knoxville, eventually becoming Chief News Photographer. In 1987 Mark moved to Raleigh, NC to work for WRAL-TV. His assignments there included Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Mother Teresa's funeral in Calcutta, India, in 1997. He also was part of the coverage of John Glenn's shuttle flight, for which he won a regional Emmy Award. Since 1999 Mark has worked as a freelance videographer. Among his extensive client list were all the major television networks, ESPN, E!, Discovery, The Learning Channel, to name just a few.
Mark is survived by his parents, David and Johnnie Copeland of Clinton, TN; brother, David Copeland, Jr. of Clinton, TN; sister, Terry Lynn Copeland of Clinton, TN; sister and brother-in-law, Jean Copeland Wells and Barry Wells of Gallatin, TN; nephew, Matthew Miller of Gallatin, TN. He also leaves loving uncles, aunts, cousins, and many close friends.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a memorial to follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the amily asks any memorials be sent to: Oak Ridge High School Channel 15 TV Production, c/o Steve Cinnamon, 127 Providence Rd. Oak Ridge, TN 37830.
Online messages to the family may be left at www.martinoakridgefuneralhome.com
Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home In Charge Of Arrangements

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News & Observer on Sep. 14, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Mark Copeland

23 Entries

Debbie Serio (Reed)

September 8, 2025

I continue to have special thoughts of Mark throughout the years. I reread the obituary above; it is so fresh in my mind. He definitely lived his job; I know when he was our "camera boy" we (The Reed Sisters) enjoyed him. He is forever a major part of our lives. Love to you all- the Family.

Debbie Serio

September 26, 2007

Dear Copeland Family,

Some of the entries in this guest book are from blogs throughout the internet as well as memorial sites on Mark. I hope you enjoy reading the memories and comments from those that love Mark. What a son you raised. What a blessing he has been to all of us.
I am so deeply sorry for your great loss. Not getting to see him, talk to him or write to him is still so very unreal to me. I am all the more grateful for the memories and the keepsakes I have of Mark. I will continue to remember you in my prayers.
Love,
Debbie Serio

Scott Hanson

September 21, 2007

Sorry it's taken so long to leave my thoughts. I think, until now, I still expected Mark to call and check in while driving back from Tennessee, or asking if I wanted to go on a shoot with him because it sounded fun. Only now is it sinking in that I can only see that quirky smile in memories and photographs.
I worked with Mark the day before he died. I treasure the memory of that simple, tedious, mind-numblingly boring day on a corporate shoot. But for me, it was never about the shoot. It was about working with Mark. His humor and gentle spirit transcended the work at hand. Working with Mark upstaged everything.
I've been amazed how much Mark is a part of every day, whether it's when someone mentions Tennessee ("I'M from Tennessee!"), or hearing his voice on a myriad of tapes on my shelf. We have tears because we have memories. Because we have memories, we have smiles.

I'm so lucky to have known him.

'Kay, Mark. That's a wrap.

George Bryant

September 21, 2007

As I have read and listened to the many stories about my good friend Mark I could just say ditto and that would cover it most of it.

I met Mark just after he had gotten his first stedicam on a United Way shoot. I was always interested in gear and gadgets and he was more than willing to show it to me. We know how Mark liked his toys as we called them. He did a few more stedicam shoots for some projects the company was working on and after he moved from Wilson, NC, I didn’t see him for a while. One day I was making some calls about some other production jobs in the area and called Mark. He didn’t know of anything at the time. It was not long after that that I received a call from Mark. He said are interested in shooting a show with me on the weekends. This was the start of friendship that was very special and one that I will remember for the rest of my days here on this earth. The show was “Real Stories of the Highway Patrol”. Both of us worked during the week and on Fridays after work the fun would begin. We would start shooting at 7pm and shoot all night. We saw many sun rises on this show and became good friends.

Through the years before he was a freelancer we would talk about going out on our own. Mark went first in 1999. I finally made the move in 2000. During that time he would always say “George you need to get out there on your own”. Mark encouraged others to do the same, never worried that it could affect his bottom line. He would offer advice anytime he was asked. I will miss being able to bounce ideas off of each other.

As much as Mark liked to fly, he also loved to ride the roller coasters. I remember one year at NAB in Las Vegas we road every one we passed by.

Mark loved to be on the water with the seadoos. He tried to get as many people as he could to ride with him. It had to be on a weekday. To crowded on the weekends for Mark.

And, Yes Mark liked new technology, and was usually near the front of the line to have the newest gadget out there. I really thought he would have setup camp for the iPhone. It was surprising that he waited more than a week for that one.

I will miss working with him and even more than that hanging out during the middle of the week. You only get a hand full of best friends during this life on earth. Mark was one them. I will miss him.

Debbie Serio

September 21, 2007

More Blogs:

Ike Quigley Says: (Sept 20, 2007)
I just found out about this accident last night. My first job as a video editor came in 1997 at WRAL-TV. Mark was the nicest person of the entire staff and one of the few who made me feel comfortable.

Later, we had the pleasure of working together on a few different feature films where he was the steadicam operator. I always enjoyed it when he was on set. It was always fun talking to him and catching up with each other.

This is very tragic. I will miss him greatly. The next movie won’t be as fun because Mark won’t be there.

A Memorial Service To Celebrate the Life of Mark Douglas Copeland
Join Mark's family and friends as we celebrate a life uncommon. This is a time to share thoughts, memories and stories about our all-too-short time with Mark. Let's gather together to laugh and cry as Mark makes his final, beautiful flight.
As Mark would have insisted, dress is casual. Shorts, t-shirts and ball caps - with white Reeboks of course - would be perfect.

Debbie Serio

September 21, 2007

Celebrating the Life of Mark Copeland
More Tributes from Friends & Colleagues

Jim Goodwin
Mark was a true professional - a first-rate shooter, serious about his work, but with a sense of humor. He was well-liked and well-respected in the freelance community. He will be missed.

Former WRAL Co-Worker
Leslie Bryant
I first met Mark (or "Cope" as we all called him) around 1990 when I was at the WPTF Chanel 28 and we too had a Wilson news bureau. All three major stations had Eastern NC bureaus at the time, and they were a close-knit group in an office building on Tarboro Street in Wilson.
Rumor has it when there was breaking news, the crews were literally following each other down the stairs of the same building and racing to see who could get to the scene first.
Of course the crews had an edge of competitiveness about them, yet they were all friends hanging out at shrimp roasts, high school football shoots and spaghetti parties. Cope was definitely at all these event and extremely well-liked by everybody!
Over the years, I kept in touch with Cope on email. He always seemed to like the tidbits of information in my "letters from home", as Jimmy Axelrod calls them. It's simply notes about how our old friends and colleagues are doing and what's up at our old stomping grounds. Now, I sadly have to delete Cope from my address book.
I recall a Christmas event one year where an acquaintance referred to Cope as "The Wonder Bread Man". It sounded like a very odd description at the time, but she explained it was because he represented all things good and pure white, like Wonder Bread. That is how I would sum up Cope - all things good. I bet the angels welcomed him with open arms. Thank you.

WRAL-TV Sky5 Pilot
Steve Wiley
Mark Copeland was my friend.
We met during my interview with the station in February of '88 and became good friends almost immediately. Copester was one of the best aerial shooters I've ever flown with. He was always looking for ways to improve the shot and was never completely satisfied. He was more than just a shooter. Often, we would fly some place, land, and set up a portable microwave signal so SKY5 could relay video back to the station. He knew what it took to get the breaking story on the air and never gave up.
One day in the early years Mark Roberts, Copester and myself were flying to some location when he announced, "MY NAME'S NOT COPESTER IT'S MARK!" We just laughed and said whatever you want "Copester" and he's been "Copester" ever since. Those were good days. We flew together a lot and all over the place. He was with Jim Axelrod and me for the flooding in Bainbridge, GA. Tony Gupton met us there with Livestar and it seems as if we did four or five packages a day! We had a great time together, all working hard and laughing because the assignment desk could communicate with us on demand! We gave them more than they wanted and loved that it drove it them crazy.
For whatever reason we didn't see each other as often over the past few years. I made a point to drive over to his place on Labor Day, but he wasn't home. I thought it was no big deal, I'll catch him later. Now it haunts me.
The news of his death Tuesday caught Kevin and me completely by surprise. We kept hoping he was the guy that survived. I'm so sad that was not the case.
He died with his boots on...he would've liked that. I miss him.

Former Colleague
David Clary
I had the pleasure to work with Mark in his first professional job at our local cable tv station. I was two years older and a sportscaster for our football and basketball games replayed on the local channel.
Mark and I traveled all over East Tennessee with the biggest camera you can imagine.This thing was so big it took up my entire trunk and must have weighed 100 pounds. You've got to remember this was 1980. We lugged that thing up and down ladders in and out of gyms for a couple of years. Mark wasn't just the camera man but he also wanted to be my color man as he shot the game. His knowledge of football was excellent but his knowledge of basketball wasn't so great. It was his comments in these games that I remember the most. Let us say they were interesting and I laugh every time I listen to some old tapes . I miss that unique sense of humor.
Mark was a perfectionist even while he was in high school and hated to make mistakes. Just this past Labor Day he reminded of two mistakes he made back in 1981 that I had long since forgotten. One time we drove 35 miles to a game only to find out we had forgotten that big camera back at the station. This bugged him to no end. I drove my car back to get it hitting speeds of over 100 miles per hour and he wanted me to go faster so we wouldn't miss the start of the game. We didn't. We also did a game in Chattanooga one season in a not so good side of town. As we parked the car we were approached by some young kids telling us that for five dollars they would make sure the hubcaps were still on the car when we got back. This rattled him so much that he recorded nothing but color bars the entire game. 26 years later this bugged him like it was yesterday. Those might have been the only mistakes Mark ever made.
Mark and I had some great times and I got the chance to watch him begin what became a great career for him. Like everybody else has said, Mark was a kind hearted man and really enjoyed what he was doing. He loved Oak Ridge where he grew up and he told me he wanted to come back this season to help tape a game or two. I told him we couldn't pay him what it would even cost him to drive home. He said, "Voice, (that's what he calls me) I just want to come do a game with you again". I was so excited about that but like everybody else was shocked to hear the news of his passing just eight days later. Mark will be missed by all that knew him and I know I will never forget anything and everything we did from now on.

Michelle Nicholson

September 20, 2007

I didn't know Mark Copeland but I've heard so much about him from Scott and Lisa Hanson. It is truly my loss that I didn't have a chance to meet him and get to know him.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the friends that have to heal the gap in their lives. I grieve for your loss and the loss of a friend I could have had.

Leslie Boney

September 20, 2007

Like most of his friends, I was stunned to hear of Mark’s death.

Not that he was in Florida. He was always willing to go wherever there was interesting work.

Not that he was in a helicopter. He loved flying more than Superman.

Not that he was trying to get the absolute best shot he could for whoever he was working with. That came as naturally to him as washing his car.

I worked with Mark most of the seven years I was at WRAL-TV in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I was a reporter. He was a photographer.

In the early 90’s he and I started the Wilson bureau for the station. I say “we” but it was really Mark. I drove down there early every morning and came home late every night. Mark lived there, got to know every police officer and fireman and court official, kept a scanner by his bed so he would never miss a major event anywhere in the region. Heck, he would never miss a minor story.

During that time, I got to know Mark pretty well. Learned how much he loved his family. Loved Tennessee. Loved “shooting” and editing. He dubbed me “MoreNewsLesBoney” and it stuck.

We covered big stories about murders and corrupt officials and school bond issues and troop deployments and small stories about windmill builders and pregnant women who ate dirt. We stopped in at Dick’s Hot Dogs and Western Sizzlin’ Steak Houses and diners only the real locals new about every day for lunch and sometimes for dinner and we ate well and we laughed and we talked about the stories and we still got all our work done.

I don’t remember Mark EVER getting mad at anybody about anything. I could feel his pain if I stepped in his car after a muddy shoot before he had a chance to put all the towels down. I knew if I touched his camera I was causing him intense pain. And I had no doubt that if I folded a cord incorrectly he would recoil it. But he never said it. And whatever scars I caused healed quickly.

After I left the station we’d see each other once a year or so, and pick up right where our previous conversation left off. He shot my wedding, despite his annoyance that he had to do the whole thing on sticks (he had just bought his Steadicam and made a pitched argument for how it could be used during a wedding ceremony – for once I won an argument about shooting!). I called him for freelance work from time to time.

And then I read the story about his death. He was way too young.

Mark lived to work. It hurts like losing an arm that he’s gone. I know he didn’t want to go any more than any of us wanted him to (there was still plenty of work to do), but I have to believe that he died doing what he loved. I’ll miss him deeply and pray for all those who loved him and miss him.

David Braswell

September 19, 2007

My first freelance video job was gripping for Mark. We did a spot for an optometrist’s practice. It was hilarious since the optometrist and his co-workers were somewhat inebriated. Mark’s voice was the calming influence that kept a nervous newbie from damaging several thousand dollars worth of equipment. His patience was especially noteworthy since I had been warned of his fastidiousness towards his gear. Through subsequent, but too infrequent gigs, Mark trusted me more and more with his equipment. At one point doing a multiple photographer/shared assistant shoot, Mark curtly asked another grip to “Let David handle my gear.”

More importantly, I developed many intangible assets working with Mark. One of them was learning how to arrange a few lighting instruments and some black foil to get that Sixty Minutes look. He helped me develop a sense of when to remain quiet, and when to offer a professional opinion. He also had an insatiable appetite for pointing his camera at the crew. Mark was an incredible silent mentor, and watching him run a shoot is something I will always treasure.

I never got to play guitar with him, but I did play him a song by Heart once. He enjoyed it and mentioned a few times thereafter that he had gripped at a Heart concert when he was back home.

It’s hard saying goodbye, and even harder trying to accept the things I cannot change. But I can’t help but smile every time I think of the mock serious way Mark told me at nearly every meeting to “Shave that beard!”

Lisa Hanson

September 19, 2007

well my relationship with mark is somewhat different than most others on this site. i never worked with mark. i didn't grow up with him. However, i definitely knew the same guy all of you knew. which is one of the most wonderful things that i can say about him.
he was genuine.
he was the same wonderful, loving, humorous and gentle soul to all of us.

I first met Markie-Mark at a dinner my husband, Scott had for him and Greg Clark, 6 or 7 years ago. The first (AND LAST) time i ever saw him in a suit. We instantly connected and had a fabulous friendship from that point.

Mark was a great lover of kids and dogs - well, maybe just mine - well maybe just in my mind. He actually held one of our newborn twins - just long enough for baby vomit to cover his new black shirt.
The next opportunity with one of my kids seemed more comfortable for him - shooting pool with my 19 year old after a day on the water .

We shared a mutual love of luxury cars and when i told him how excited i was about the new Cadillac CTS, he made sure to go out the next day and buy one, then brought it over for a visit. (i'm still waiting for mine!)

My dear, sweet Markie-Mark....miss you...today, and everyday.

oh,yeah...saw you there and then again back there...
where will i see you next?!
xo

Steve Wiley

September 18, 2007

Mark Copeland was my friend.

We met during my interview with the station in February of '88 and became good friends almost immediately. Copester was one of the best aerial shooters I've ever flown with. He was always looking for ways to improve the shot and was never completely satisfied. He was more than just a shooter always interested in what it took to get the video back to the station. Often, we would fly some place, land, and he would set up a portable microwave signal so SKY5 could relay back to the station. He knew what it took to get the breaking story on the air and never gave up.

One day in the early years Mark Roberts, Copester and myself were flying to some location when he announced, "MY NAME'S NOT COPESTER IT'S MARK!" We just laughed and said whatever you want "Copester" and he's been "Copester" ever since. Those were good days. We flew together a lot and all over the place. He was with Jim Axelrod and me for the flooding in Bainbridge, GA. Tony Gupton met us there with Livestar and it seems as if we did four or five packages a day! We had a great time together, all working hard and laughing because the assignment desk could communicate with us on demand! We gave them more than they wanted and loved that it drove it them crazy.

For whatever reason we didn't see each other as often over the past few years. I made a point to drive over to his place on Labor Day, but he wasn't home. I thought it was no big deal, I'll catch him later. Now it haunts me.

The news of his death Tuesday caught Kevin and me completely by suprise. We kept hoping he was the guy that survived. I'm so sad that was not the case.

He died with his boots on...he would've liked that.

I miss him.

debbie serio

September 17, 2007

More Blogs:
In Memory of Mark Copeland
I never met Mark Copeland, but his reputation and steadicam preceded him. Pictured here at the outset of his career, Copeland discovered his knack for television at a Tennessee station in 1981. From there, he went nowhere but up, working at North Carolina powerhouse WRAL for years, winning Emmies and admirers alike before leaving in 1999 to focus on a bustling freelance career - one that took him to foreign countries and movie sets with increasing regularity. Today that career came to a tragic halt when the helicopter he was shooting video from crashed in the Gulf of Mexico near Sarasota, Florida. Mark was 44, at the top of his game and no doubt doing what he dug when it all went black. He will be missed and remembered and by all of us who a heft a lens in the Carolinas and beyond.
posted by Lenslinger at 9:44 PM

4 Comments:
Kenneth said...
I did know him because he worked at WRAL. Here is more on this great photographer.

You may interested in this CBC CapCom story: Celebrating the Life of Mark Copeland. You can view this page at: http://www.cbc-online.com/memorials/mark_copeland/mark_copeland.html

9:10 AM
Weaver said...
The other link wouldn't work.

Try this one...

http://www.cbc-raleigh.com/memorials/mark_copeland/mark_copeland.html

10:45 AM
Kenneth said...
I'm sorry. I forgot you need a password to get into the cbc server.

Thanks Chris for finding another.

9:20 AM
mangler said...
i raise my lens today in honor. met him once luckily. RIP.

3:21 PM

Yet another sad announcement. This is care of San Francisco-based CHUCK HARRELL at KTVU, who worked in the Raleigh-Durham market:
Our friend and favorite freelance videographer, MARK COPELAND. Mark did a lot of work for us, from our Emmy nominated “Black History Month” shoot to one of the Tree of Lights celebrations and a Health and Fitness Festival. He was a super guy, I worked with him at WRAL before he left to go freelance and then we did a lot of stuff with him at NBC 17. It seemed like Mark was always coming by, but really, he only did 5 or 6 projects at the most with us. They were just big projects, and I think his input and knowledge made our shoots what they were. The BHM promos came out great, and a lot of that was in the editing, but without great footage to work with, you have nothing to edit.

posted by Kate Bacon

A few credits:
1. The Key Man (2007) (completed) (steadicam operator)

2. Fall Down Dead (2007) (steadicam operator)
3. The Ultimate Gift (2006) (steadicam operator)
4. Pucked (2006) (steadicam operator)
... aka National Lampoon's Pucked (USA: complete title)
... aka National Lampoon's The Trouble with Frank (USA: complete title)
5. Cold Storage (2006) (steadicam operator)
6. The Gravedancers (2006) (steadicam operator)

7. Space Shuttle Discovery: John Glenn Launch (1998) (TV) (camera operator)
8. The Rough South of Harry Crews (1991) (TV) (steadicam operator)

Official site: http://www.originalpro.com/

Janelle Booth Clevinger

September 17, 2007

Mark and I met nearly 20 years ago when he worked for WRAL’s Wilson bureau and I worked for a local video production company. We hired Mark to shoot Steadicam for a United Way video and I was instantly drawn to this man with the infectious smile and dry sense of humor. That day was the beginning of a personal and professional relationship with one of the nicest, kindest people I will ever meet.

There were two things that you could count on when you saw Mark: you knew you’d be greeted with that huge smile of his and that a meal of some sort of meal would be involved. You would never go hungry when you were with Mark.

I was constantly amazed at how upbeat and calm Mark always was despite the chaos that might be going on around him. Even if I walked into a room upset about something that had happened to me and had nothing to do with the shoot, he always knew just what to say to calm me down and make me realize that whatever it was, it really wasn’t that bad after all. Time after time, I watched him have that same effect on everyone.

More than anything, Mark loved his family and he drove the six hour trip to visit them in Tennessee every chance he could. I gave him a hard time about that (“It’s Groundhogs Day, Mark. Are you in Tennessee?”) but in reality I envied that devotion, dedication and true love.

I have had a few times in my life when, just for a few moments, I have felt completely at peace with the world, that all the “stars have aligned” correctly, and I had not a care in the world. These moments occur very rarely but one of them happened years ago with Mark. One evening after grabbing some dinner together, we drove out to the Raleigh Durham Airport for a reason that I can't recall. The sun was setting, the windows were down in his Jeep and neither of us was saying a word. A sky of red and orange was sinking under the horizon and all you could hear was the sound of the wind and the road. It was so simple, but it was a moment of complete peace and contentment that I will always treasure. I was with Mark. And I was safe.

After Mark’s funeral on Saturday, I stood in his parent’s yard and looked out into the Tennessee mountains that he loved so dearly. Behind me, his family and friends shared memories and stories. In front of me, I watched a deer run across a clearing and I knew Mark was watching over us smiling and saying, "I got you all to Tennessee after all, didn't I?"

I love you, Mark. I can’t wait to see your smile again.

Debbie Serio

September 17, 2007

Blogs:

I’m an ex-tv news photog (though always a photog at heart) and still read B-roll.net to keep up with friends and the business.

Unfortunately one of those friends was killed today. Videographer (though I’ll always call him a photojournalist) Mark Copeland of Raleigh, NC and still photographer Thomas Newby of Manhattan Beach, CA were killed when the helicopter they were in crashed into the Gulf of Mexico today. Pilot Mark Watters of Pasadena, CA, was seriously injured.

Copeland and Newby were shooting pictures and video of a boat test for Powerboat Magazine.

Copeland worked at WRAL-TV in Raleigh for over a decade. He was a great photog. As a newbie photog I dreaded going up against him because his stuff always looked better than mine, but that sort of competition made me better and as the years went by I was thankful that I got to learn by watching him go after shots.

Back in 1991 our chopper went down, and Mark was first on the scene. We shed tears together as we covered the crash, which took the lives of 3 WTVD coworkers and friends. I’ll never forget his kindness in the wake of that crash. It was hard on all of us in that market.

He was in the air, doing a great job, no doubt, when the chopper went down today.
RIP Mark.
Victoria Pridgen Deaton- NCNN Anchor

Wow. If he's the guy I think he is, myself and Randy (NoHalfDays) worked with him on some drag racing shoots. He was always a super-nice guy. I never saw his website til Brian linked to it. I never knew he accomplished so much. A big loss. He will definately be missed.
Warren - Baltimore, MD

Mark Copeland was a great cameraman, shooting at the highest level! He had just purchased a HDX-900 back in March. He was a valued member of the freelance community in Raleigh, NC. And, we will truely miss being in the field with him.
GTT - Charleston, SC

Since leaving WRAL in 1999 to pursue a freelance career, Mark has maintained his status as a first class news photographer. He’s worked for the major networks, magazine shows and numerous TV programs. Mark moved beyond being a news photographer, he worked as a crew member on many live productions, and even saddled up with his Stedicam for a few movie shoots.

Mark will be missed many, but especially missed by those of us who appreciated his good, quality, craftsmanship as a TV Photographer.
RAD - Raleigh

Since leaving WRAL in 1999 to pursue a freelance career, Mark has maintained his status as a first class news photographer. He’s worked for the major networks, magazine shows and numerous TV programs. Mark moved beyond being a news photographer, he worked as a crew member on many live productions, and even saddled up with his Stedicam for a few movie shoots.

Mark will be missed many, but especially missed by those of us who appreciated his good, quality, craftsmanship as a TV Photographer.
FTOJRLST - Thomasville, NC

Man I hate hearing this.
I never got the chance to work with Mark but I met him a few times when I worked in Raleigh. He was always the nicest person.
This is twice now, I knew both of the photogs who died in the Phoenix chopper collilsion too. Very sad.
NCM - Georgia

Mark Copeland used to work here in our area of coverage. he was a credit to the profession. a great guy who always had a smile on his face and and treated everyone, stills and fellow video guys with respect. a sad day.
Chuck Liddy - Durham, NC

I worked with Mark years ago, he was always a pleasure to be around. Really talented and well respected by his co-workers. He was always ready with a good word whenever I ran into him around town. Sad news indeed.
Stan Gilliland - Cary, NC

debbie serio

September 17, 2007

CBC REMEMBERS MARK COPELAND:
Celebrating the Life of Mark Copeland
Words of a Million Memories from a WRAL Colleague & Best Friend

When capcom went in search of comments and memories about Mark Copeland from some of his former co-workers at WRAL-TV, the response was overwhelming. Copeland clearly left a permanent and indelible mark on the many friends he made in the family of WRAL. Here are several of the poignant stories shared about this kind and amazing man who left life all too soon.

WRAL-TV Anchor/Reporter
Bill Leslie
I spent a week with Mark covering the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta in 1988.
I was deeply impressed by his even keel under the pressure of numerous deadlines. He worked hard to make our stories sparkle and shine with his unique sheen of professionalism.

I saw Mark just two weeks ago at a party and we spent 30 minutes talking about life and work. He looked and sounded great and I told him how much I missed him but enjoyed working with him on those special assignments such as the Raleigh Christmas Parade. Mark and I always seemed to be in sync. We both grew up in the South. He had Tennessee roots and his family ties with very strong. I will deeply miss him.

WRAL-TV Documentary Photographer Jay Jennings
It's a pretty tough blow for a lot of us. Mark was a great friend to a lot of folks here at the Big 5 even after leaving to pursue his freelance career.

I hired Mark back when I was chief photog. He originally worked in the Wilson Bureau with Leslie Boney before moving to Raleigh. He had some great assignments in his days here at WRAL. … He LOVED to fly in Sky 5 and was one of the best aerial photographers to ever work here.

After leaving, Mark was very successful in the freelance video world. He really made his mark (no pun intended) as the owner and operator of a Steadicam.

Mark was one of the best shooters to ever walk through the doors of WRAL. But more importantly, he was one of the best people to ever work at the Big 5. This is a sad, sad day.

Written By WRAL-TV News Photographer
John Cox
You'll have to forgive me because for the last 36 hours I really haven't known what to think, do or say. As I've sat down to put my thoughts into inadequate words, they've just come pouring out.

I guess it's probably true that opposites attract. Mark and I were definitely opposites in a lot of ways. The bedrock of our photography careers lies in Knoxville, TN, but Mark started at WATE, Channel 6, the #2 station in the market and I started (full-time) at WBIR, Channel 10 a dominant #1.

Opposite #1. Mark worked at the bad station and I worked at the good one. Anytime I kidded him about that, he'd point out WATE was #1 until after he left, maybe there's something to that. Mark left Knoxville shortly before I got there and headed east to WRAL. I moved to East TN and settled in about 10 miles from Mark's parents but I never met them in the 6+ years I was there. Having the common ground of time in TN was the bedrock of our friendship. Friendly station rivalry, but friendly was still the key word.

Opposite #2. Mark loved Ikegami cameras. While I appreciate Iki's, I hate the tripod mounts on the bottom of the camera. They are really, really unstable on flat surfaces, and you'll see why that's important in a minute.

When I got to WRAL, we didn't become fast friends at all. We were fine with each other, but nothing more than co-workers for a good while. Our friendship really took off when I blew up his camera.

Don't laugh, yet. Mark was extremely particular about his gear - extremely. His reputation for how he kept things preceded him as I was doing my first freelance shoot with his equipment.

It was with the brand new savior of the Carolina Hurricanes, Ron Francis. Since this was a big shoot, I had to do everything right, so I wanted to avoid shooting through the glass at the hockey rink. I traipsed across the ice to the benches to shoot without the glass - no slipping on the ice, everything's great.

I got to the benches and the floor was wet. "I can't put Mark's camera down on the wet floor. He'll kill me." So I carefully put the camera on the bench.

I started to set up the tripod and flipped it over and bumped the bench....no big deal right? The camera wobbled right, wobbled back left, tilted right and then flopped left off the bench onto the wet floor. ARRRGH, wet camera!

I quickly picked it up to see that the viewfinder was cracked - a few water spots were sounding pretty good to me right then.

I thought, "I've got to get it together here, there's a shoot to do and Mark is counting on me to get it done. The viewfinder looks pretty bad, but I'm hoping it'll still work."

When I flipped the power switch to check it out, fire shot out of the side - I kid you not, actual flames! I probably ruined that shoot, and that client probably never called Mark again, but the way he reacted when I called him earned a friend for life.

He didn't raise his voice, he didn't get mad.

It freaked me out that he wasn't going to make me wax his news car every week for the rest of my life - that's "the cleanest car in the news business" by the way. I would have reacted completely differently than he did and I'm grateful that I was on the receiving end of his mercy and forgiveness.

Opposite # 3. He had the cleanest news car in the business, and his personal cars were even neater. If you've ever seen the back seat of my news car I don't need to say anything else.

Opposite #4. His shooting style was what I dubbed "Move and Groove". He was on the shoulder, followed the action and was in the right place at the right time. He was great at it. He was the master, but every time I shot like that, it would look good, but I would get burned in editing - it just didn't work out for me. I tend to go for my steady sticks, wide, medium and tight. I appreciated what he could do with a camera, and I think he respected my work, but he'd tell me, "I like whatcha did there, but you need to get off the sticks more." I may do that, but I won't do it as well as he did.

Opposite #5. He loved being in the middle of news. This may not be the proper thing for a news photographer to admit, but I really don't need to be in middle of 20 other cameras all trying to get the same thing to feel like I've accomplished something. He wanted the Big story, and I just want a great story with great pictures. The fewer cameras to fight with the better. I don't need hurricanes and presidential visits - I can do 'em but I prefer heading home to be with my wife, daughter and cat.

Opposite #6. He was wary of kids and animals. He didn't have plants or pets because that'd be something for someone to have to take care of if he had a shoot that kept him out of town for days. He was like the 82nd Airborne, he could be anywhere in less than 24 hours and he didn't want anything holding him back. Our cats seemed to know that he didn't really like them, so they'd make a special point of hopping in his lap or rubbing against him when he was here.

When Mark came to the hospital the morning after our daughter was born he brought my wife a bag of M&M's to perk her up, and then looked at Emily like she was a little alien with fangs or something. "Ya wanna hold her?" - He says, "No thanks" and looks at her like he might break her or she might poop on him or something.

We convinced him that she was tough and it'd be OK, so Mark was the first person outside of our family to hold Emily, and they became tight.

He became our official family videographer. Apart from my work camera, I didn't even have a camcorder, so Mark has most of the home videos of my daughter. He taught her how to make a "T" with her hands - Tennessee Vols ya know. He picked her up from places several times when we were tied up, like from gymnastics when I got stuck on a shoot.

Seeing Mark with a child seat and a bouncy 4 year-old was about as funny a sight as you'll see. I'm sure he was glad when we'd leave his house after she'd been there awhile, but I'm confident he loved her in his own special way, and I know for a fact that Emily loved him like an uncle.

Opposite #7. He really didn't like to do much of anything I liked. He wouldn't waterski with me although he did come and take pictures and even drove the boat a couple of times. He said he'd look fat on a bike, he was scared to try snow skiing with us, "I can't afford to get hurt!". He loved his SeaDoos, XBOX 360, reality shows and NASCAR, and I really don't have a lot of use for any of them, but none of that really mattered, we still had our common ground.

I've mentioned that Mark loved being in the middle of everything, especially the big story, so he was excited about a couple of opportunities he got with the Carolina Hurricanes - the friendship comes back to another shoot with Ron Francis.

This time he's retiring and Mark is running an on-ice camera for FSN during the ceremony. The RBC Center is PACKED! It's as loud as a playoff frenzy, the lights are down, everybody is on their feet, Mark scurries across the ice - he didn't slip much either - he gets near center ice in the middle of the biggest event in the hockey world that night, turns and looks up at our family and waves with that goofy grin. "Hey, can you believe what I'm doing - that's Ron Francis over there....."

He got to shoot several games from between the benches, as "in the middle of things" as it gets without being ON the ice. We'd always get a phone call before the game to see what was up - I could look down from the upper deck and see him waving.

Man, I'll miss that now. Just like I miss talking to him about this stupid accident that took my best friend away from me.

We always talked about helicopter crashes, what happened, the coverage. He loved anything that flew, he was fascinated by anything in the sky, birds, airplanes, helicopters, lightning, watching the space station and shuttle fly overhead, anything up high mesmerized him. Recently we were both sitting at our computers watching the online coverage of the crash in Phoenix. We were trying to get every tidbit of info we could, seeing which reporters we had worked with or knew.

Being news junkies, that's what we did. Anytime something was going on I'd get the call, "did you see....?" Now I've got something I need to talk to him about and he's not here. Ya know, I really don't like it at all.

Mark was generous, forgiving and helpful. He always had a gadget I needed to borrow, probably because he had every gadget known to man and a few that most men didn't even know about. I'll miss those calls from between the benches, from the cruise ship off the coast of Chile, the emailed pictures from the dirty tractor pull in Iowa, the waves from center ice and Emily's gleeful cry - "Mr. Mark's here!" when he'd pull in the driveway.

We were very different, but we were the same.

We both needed a friend and now I need a new one.

Written By WRAL-TV Sports Anchor Bob Holliday
Mark and I spent countless Friday evenings together on the highways and by-ways of Eastern North Carolina. We covered high school games from Rockingham to Elizabeth City, often facing a stiff challenge in terms of our ability to get back to the station on time.

We never missed a deadline. Mark was fearless. When plays would come toward the sideline on which we were shooting I would always back up (got to protect the knees!), and of course I would suggest to Mark that he do the same. Three or four times I watched Mark follow this pile of football players, shoulders pads, and helmets right to the base of his feet. He never backed up. And never got hurt on the sidelines.

One Friday I'll always remember is an evening we covered Northern Durham at Elizabeth City Northeastern. Mark's steering column broke just as we drove into the school. Somehow he got the car parked, although he couldn't steer it. There wasn't much time to plot our next move-the game had begun. While Mark continued to shoot I tried to get in touch with Brian Pittman, who was supposed to meet us in Williamston with the sat truck. With the help of the local police, we got word to Brian to come the rest of the way to Elizabeth City. Mark shot and edited the game flawlessly. We sent our story back to the station. Then Brian and I drove back to Raleigh, so that I could anchor on Saturday. Mark stayed with the car in Elizabeth City until it was repaired. By Monday the broken steering column was just a memory.

Mark loved news and he loved technology. He was always the first to volunteer to cover a major story or to hop in the helicopter and shoot aerials. In his spare time, he took up a hobby-the stedicam. The stedicam ultimately became the center piece of his free lance business.

While on our many road trips together, Mark spoke often of his beloved high school team, Oak Ridge, and his upbringing in Tennessee. He would even try to find the Oak Ridge games on the radio! There are few in television with the passion of Mark Copeland. It's still hard to believe he's gone.

WRAL-TV Anchor
Lynda Loveland
Mark was the first friend I made when I came to WRAL. He helped me find a place to live.
People who knew Mark knew he had a thing about keeping his vehicle clean. We used to wash our cars at his house on the weekends. His vehicles were always spotless. In fact he kept a little towel on the floor board to wipe out any dirt or gravel that got tracked onto the floormats, both sides!.
Mark truly had a heart of gold. I've never met a nicer guy.
As a reporter, you lucked out if you got Mark. He was a great shooter. He really thought stories through and offered invaluable advice.

Former WRAL-TV Reporter
Tom Lawrence
I worked many stories with Mark. Lots of crime and general assignment...but I recall traveling early one morning from Raleigh to Fort Bragg where we were to cover President Clinton's visit to injured soldiers at Womack Army hospital following the tragic mid air collision of a jet fighter and a C-130 transport. The wreckage of the fighter torn through gathered paratroopers killing many and spewing flaming fuel on many more. Once at Bragg...Mark was chosen by the Army PAO to be the lone pool videographer for all media. That meant I was alone, but Mark shot the video...did an oustanding job and worked closely with me to get my package and live shot done while seeing to it that every other TV outlet, CNN included...got a dub of what he shot. He was a consumate professional and a great guy. I shall, like his other former co-workers, miss him.

Written By Former WRAL-TV Photographer
Joe Frieda
I worked with Mark at WRAL for 10 years and consider him one of my closest friends. He left to start his freelance photography business in 1999. Two years later, following his model, I did the same thing.

He was a mentor to me. He introduced me to all the people I needed to know with no regard to the fact that it may take away from his business. The man was the most generous and selfless person I ever knew. I was constantly on the phone asking for advice - something he dispensed in a fatherly manner.

Mark was single, but had a family in NC. That family was called WRAL. He bled WRAL-blue. Despite having a very successful business, he often thought about returning to Channel 5 because he enjoyed it there so much. Many will remember the Emmy viewing parties at his house. He had one of the only satellite dishes that could downlink the regional Emmys show. We would gather in his frontroom each year to see if we had won the coveted prize. Then, we would phone the newsroom with a live update so they could announce the award winners on the air.

A dedication to all things video and an attraction to the latest technical gadget was his calling card. If there was a new tech toy coming out, Mark had it ordered before it even hit the market and couldn't understand why others weren't doing the same.

Last month, Mark told me he was interested in scuba diving and asked if I could take him under with my gear so he could try it out. He had a blast and did exceptionally well. Afterwards, he said he wanted to become a certified diver. Another adventure he would've loved.

If someone ever mentioned anything about Tennessee Mark would shout out, "I'M FROM TENNESSEE!" Mark loved his family in Oakridge, Tennessee. No matter how busy he got, he frequently made the six hour drive to see his family. You didn't have to be around him long before he would start telling you stories about them, his wonderful hometown and the state champion high school football team he played on.

Not many people know of his musical talents. He was an accomplished drummer and even took up the base guitar a couple of years ago.

Mark was one of the best steadicam operators you'll ever see. I remember shooting a Faith Hill concert with him at Ft. Bragg for ABC's Good Morning America show. After the shoot, the director, who had been in the business about 30-years, pulled Mark aside and told him that was some of the best work he has seen and if he ever wanted to move to New York, he could guarantee him work every day.

On several occasions, Mark and I would ask each other what we would do if we weren't photographers. Mark's answer was always the same. "I have no idea. This is the best job in the world. Can you believe we get paid for doing this!?!"

Mark LOVED to shoot. The only thing in life he loved more was shooting out of a helicopter. So, the solace I take out of his tragic death was that he died doing the two things in life he loved the most.

I love you, Mark and miss you tremendously already.

Written By WRAL-TV Documentary Producer
Clay Johnson
I first met Mark when I was a reporter in this market around 1990. We'd cross paths on stories from time to time.

After he left WRAL in 1999, I hired Mark to work with me on a wide variety of freelance projects over the next few years.

One project took us around the country, to Louisville, Rochester, Minneapolis, Sacramento and twice to Los Angeles. On that second trip to LA, Mark and I shot a public service spot with actor Ed Asner. He and Mark really hit it off.

Afterwards, as he would often do, Mark wanted to take time to explore and do some sightseeing. As we were heading down Sunset Blvd we saw what looked like a movie being shot in front of Groman's Chinese Theater. We parked to go check it out. As we walked down the sidewalk Mark spotted Harrison Ford walking down the street beside us.

The next thing we know we're standing in a crowd of people in front of Groman's. We had unwittingly walked into the middle of the set of Ford's new movie "Hollywood Homicide".

Mark noticed that everyone around us had green wristbands on, so he suggested we hide our wrists. I pulled my shirt sleeves down and Mark put his hands deep into his pockets. When the director began talking to the crowd we realized we were to play panicked citizens on the street in a shoot out. When the director yelled action and the gunshots started, Mark and I ran with the crowd down the street.

We did that on two takes, but as security kept moving around the crowd checking for wristbands we realized our jig would probably be up soon.

So, on the third take, after the gunshots, we ran with the crowd again, but when the director yelled "cut", Mark and I kept running down the street and turned a corner out of sight, laughing all the way.

Mark got such a kick out of that. It really demonstrated his fun-loving and adventurous spirit.

He also had a terrific sense of humor. There are countless times when Mark would bring me to tears with laughter with just a simple wry and dry comment under his breath that no one else could hear.

He was a great guy. He loved people. He loved his family. And he loved his work. He loved the adventure and new experiences that his work brought him.

He was tremendously successful as a freelance photographer and SteadiCam operator, working on television shows, sporting events and motion pictures. He was in great demand, which is not only a testament to the high quality of his work, but also to what a great person he was to work with.

But as much as Mark loved his work, there was nothing Mark loved more than his family. As hectic as his work was and as much traveling as he did, when there was a break in his schedule Mark would always find time to make the long drive to Tennessee to spent time with his parents.

I can't imagine the loss they must feel right now. I never met them, but I'm going to tell them what a terrific person I thought Mark was and how important he was to so many people back here in North Carolina.

I hope others who knew Mark will do the same.

More Tributes from Friends & Colleagues

Lifelong Friend
Huston Singletary
I grew up with "original" Mark Copeland and met him when we moved to Oak Ridge, TN when I was in 8th grade. He lived three houses away. We also became best friends at that time. Mark was my first friend in that new town and we all, including my parents and family stayed in touch to this day. He decided what he wanted to do for a living well before graduating high school. Television photography was his true calling.

Mark was the warmest and most intuitive person I ever knew. He loved his cars, always had something funny to say and was super close to his roots both at home where he grew up and with his friends and colleagues. He really loved life and all that came at him. Always up for the challenge. All his colleagues can tell you that he really was one of the best at his craft.

I for one can be assured that Mark died doing what he loved most. Camera in tow and flying high.

I'll miss you Mark. MCO!

Former Colleague
Jeff Greene
I started working as a photojournalist in Raleigh in 1988 for one of WRAL’s competing stations. I ran into Mark Copeland on countless news assignments over the course of my nine-year, two station jaunt here.

Trust me when I say that Mark was an intensely fair competitor who stayed amazingly focuses on his work. Yet, to the surprise of no one, Mark was the first to walk up to me to introduce himself and welcome me to the market. I watched him do the same thing for nearly everyone who entered the market.

Despite his enormous professional accomplishments, nothing about Mark ever changed!

Indeed, Mark had an amazing spiritual connection with his camera. Perhaps that would explain that unlike the vast majority of adults, Mark’s love for his work grew stronger every day.

Now that Mark has passed, it’s my hope that his family, good friends, colleagues and competitors will forever cherish their memories of Mark the way I ALWAYS will.

Former WRAL Colleague
Ted Hand
I worked at WRAL from 1993-1999 and worked with Mark on many special events. I can still remember the cold, pre-sunrise setups for the Christmas parade. Mark was always willing to help and would love to show his "steadycam" unit to anybody who wanted to see it. I can't believe he is gone but he left us doing what loved to do....

Former WRAL Reporter
Nina Szlosberg
Mark came to WRAL just before I left but, as he did with everyone, he made such a huge impression on me in the short time we worked together there. Eager and energetic - he went after every story with zeal. After Mark left WRAL to start his own business, we worked together on a number of projects...
including shooting a re-enactment of the Civil War surrender at Bennetts Place in Durham for an HD documentary about the American Tobacco complex.
I worked with Mark most recently in Chicago - just a few weeks ago. We got stuck in the airport coming home and had a lot of time to talk. He said that as much as he loved Raleigh - his heart was still in Tennessee and he hoped that he would get to move back there sometime soon . He told me that he had just been on a wonderful cruise with his parents and was planning to do more of that in the future. He talked about loving his time on the lake, jet skiing - and we talked about all of the great places he had gotten to visit during his time at WRAL - including India while covering the funeral of Mother Theresa.

While we are all sad - I think we can find some comfort in the fact that Mark lived a full and interesting life and his last moments here on earth were spent doing what he loved most. He made contributions to the world through the lens of his camera and we are all better off having known him.

My heart goes out to his family. We will miss him.

Former WRAL-TV News Photographer
Bruce Wittman
And if you knew Mark, you already knew two things about him. Mark Copeland was a consummate photographer and he was from Tennessee!

Over the years, I hired him on many occasions as a freelance cameraman. And everytime I called him on his cell, I would jokingly ask him if he was in Raleigh or TN.
80% of the time he said he was in TN! With a smile in his voice.

He was working for me on a Raleigh shoot the day before him died. And he called me up on his last night on earth from the Atlanta airport, telling me about that day's successful shoot and him looking forward to shooting Powerboats from a helicopter the next day in Sarasota FL. That's the last time I spoke with him.

Our last telephone conversation was fun, funny, joyful and too short.

I will really, really miss his soft voice, his gentle humor and his kindness to others.

My heart goes out to his family in TN and his other video family here in Raleigh.

Former Colleague
Julia Carpenter
We had the privilege of working with Mark when he donated his time and talents for an all day shoot for a PSA on Meningococcal Meningitis prevention. Our Enloe High School TV production team, led by Director Curry Leslie had the privilege of working side by side with one of the best in the business and we marveled at his enthusiasm, professionalism and he so generously gave us his time.
We did not know this man who willingly and unselfishly shared his expertise, talents, time and patience with our young production crew. He participated in our project for personal reasons which we will never really know, but has left us in this business with a lasting example to follow.

You can see Mark in action smiling away, it was cold, the takes were many and the resulting PSA was shown at every high school in the state.

Former Colleague
Eugene Murray
Mark and I just missed each other at WRAL-TV – he joined the station a few months after I left – but we met soon after Mark began his Steadicam career. A training video I was producing needed some Steadicam shots, and I was referred heartily to Mark by mutual friends and colleagues. "Mark's a great shooter and great to work with" several people told me. They were absolutely right on both counts.

I called Mark and arranged to meet at his home that evening to review the production details. As Mark gave me his address and directions, something sounded very familiar. "Wait a minute, Mark...you're in my old apartment!" We both laughed and enjoyed the coincidence of living in the same residence years apart. This unique connection was simply the beginning of a great personal and professional friendship Mark and I shared these past years.

Like his many friends who have written, it was a pleasure and privilege to know and work with Mark. His videography talent and expertise enhanced every production we collaborated on, and his genuinely good nature and wit made long shoot days much more fun. As a producer, I always kept Mark's number on a short list for freelance crew though initially called him only for Steadicam work. After a few productions together, Mark said politely, "You know, I can shoot pretty well from a tripod and handheld, too." I got the hint, and he got called much more often.

One thing that I'll remember about and be grateful to Mark – his commitment to doing good work and helping others was as ever-present as his smile. While Mark's talents brought him opportunities to travel the world, the productions we worked on together took us mainly around Raleigh and across the state. Mark once donated his Steadicam and time to a public service project I produced, working several hours late into the night simply as a favor to a friend. No matter where he was shooting, Mark loved what he did, ALWAYS appreciated the job and brought his best to it.

It's almost impossible to believe that Mark is gone now – he was such a bright part of our lives and community. Jay Jennings earlier wrote eloquently about Mark that he "was one of the best shooters" and "one of the best people to ever work" at WRAL-TV. I would extend Jay’s thought to included our entire profession and simply add "Mark is one of the best people, ever."

Thank you, Mark. We miss you. Heaven's gain.

Joan-Ellen Zucker

September 16, 2007

In Memory of Mark Copeland

Videographer Mark Copeland died recently in a helicopter crash doing what he loved to do, filming the action. Anyone who knew Mark Copeland must be devastated by his death. I knew him when he was just a kid and I hadn't seen much of him since. I never stopped caring about him from a distance and never failed to ask his wonderful sister Terry, a Playhouse stalwart, about his amazing career successes.

Mark was the primo camera man for Talk of the Town, a daily cable TV interview program we produced for about four years when Mark was still in high school. He was unflappable, only ruffled by mean-spirited behavior. He was gentle and funny and totally game. When I expressed frustration with the confines of our tiny smoke-saturated studio, Mark would say “no problem, we'll go remote." What this meant was that I and anyone else who had a strong back would lug our giant camera to a variety of zany locations. The camera filled the entire interior of a truck and Mark could take it apart and put it back together like a Transformer toy. I remember him setting up the dinosaur camera to shoot through a small outside window in order to film a local celebrity making pies in her kitchen. We filmed anything, anyplace, at least once.

Mark and I shared alphanumeric dyslexia, which manifested itself in bizarre misspellings on the character generator, which neither one of us noticed and others teased us about. He was not a National Merit Scholar. He was a dedicated, capable young person who worked hard to develop a remarkable skill. He was the kind of student that sometimes gets lost in the firmament of academic stars.

He came from a supportive first family of Anderson County. His grandfather Nash Copeland ran one of the earliest and foremost businesses in Oak Ridge, followed as community contributors by his father David and his mother Johnny.

The last time I saw Mark he came by to show me his newly purchased “steady cam.” It started him on a too-short stellar career of “going remote” for CNN and others. Most of us will have seen the images that came out of that camera purchase, if we think back to the first Gulf War and the blazing trajectories of gunfire filmed from a Baghdad hotel, filmed by Mark Copeland, probably through a small window.

I wish I had known him as a grownup but I cherish my memories of him as a great kid. He will be mourned by many.

Joan-Ellen Zucker

Gwen Singletary

September 16, 2007

-a true friend

We arrived in Oak Ridge in 1976 and our lives would become richer as we met and loved our new neighbor, Mark Copeland. Mark was the truest friend any of us will ever have.

His connection to our large family continued even over distance as he became one of the best photo journalists anywhere. His accomplishments never surprised us; they did make us proud.

But the most impressive accomplishments where Mark was concerned had to do with his character. He was unfailing in his steady loyalty and ability to perceive the higher road. Mark was a part of every milestone in our lives. He continued to visit my husband and me after we moved to Kingston and to “check up on us” by phone and e-mail.

He let nothing come before his love and loyalty for his family and he treasured their devotion to him. Our hearts ache for them today.

Gwen Singletary

Nancy Smith

September 16, 2007

Uncle David and Aunt Johnnie,
I want to tell you how much I have been thinking of you. I also know how wonderful Mark was because he was so much like my brother Larry, and they were both so close. Have Larry tell you the cute story about him and Mark on the jet skis. It was so cute.
Love you,
Your niece and flower girl,
Nancy

Jeff Tewksbury

September 14, 2007

Mark Copeland taught me more about capturing good video than any other source.I had the good fortune to witness a true professional over the four years we worked together at WATE-TV.
I will miss his sense of humor and his hiliarious phone calls.I will miss a true friend.

debbie serio

September 14, 2007

Our Forever Friend, Mark Copeland

Mark Copeland was a Forever kind of friend. Whenever we talked, we would talk about anything and everything. When he said he would do something, he would. From the beginning, he made us laugh. Mark used to imitate and exaggerate our mannerisms and accent. Once, he got caught by our mom doing an imitation of her, using a toothpick to clean his teeth, she laughed …later. Our parents loved Mark too. Whenever we spoke, on the phone, e-mail, even in person, like recalling movie lines, Mark would start off with a phrase from our past. He always made us smile. We miss him.

Oh how Mark loved his job. We used to call him “The Camera Boy”. He used to request songs that would allow him to have a lot panning, close-ups or just anything to make his camera work exciting in the small studio. When planning our song list, we would keep our Camera Boy in mind, making sure to put songs that would entertain him. Tippy-Tippy-Toein' was his favorite! He was our “Drummer boy” too. Whenever we needed a drummer, Mark was there for us. “Wipe Out” would always wipe him out. What talent!

Through all these years, Mark always found ways to keep in touch. Whenever we got together, in person or on the phone, seemed as if we were never apart. Mark was a wonderful friend and brother to us.

We’ve known Mark close to thirty years, that’s not enough. It is so hard to express what we feel for him and what he means to us. Knowing we won’t be hearing his voice or get together again has been very difficult. We are blessed to have known him and we thank our Lord for the times we had with our dear Mark Copeland. He has been a Forever kind of friend.

Mr. and Mrs. Copeland, David, Terry and Jean, Mark was our brother too. We sure love him. We are deeply sorry for such a great loss. We have been praying for you. We’re praying that you have the comfort and peace that only God can give.

“My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.“ Psalm 73:26

With loving memories of our Camera Boy,

The Reed Sisters" and Family
John Reed, Charles Reed, Eugene Reed, Devin Reed, Joan Medina, Bonnie Reed, Nettie Cole, and Debbie Serio

ART & MARY SCHULTE

September 14, 2007

David and Johnnie

As I watched the 11 pm news here in Sarasota Tuesday night I was very concerned that Mark could be your son.

Mary and I want you to know that both of you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Sandra Strickland

September 14, 2007

I don't know Mr. Copeland but I admire people who follow their dreams. I have lost a son at 27 so I know the hurt & the time it takes to heal, but know that GOD will help ease the loss, & know GOD had another adventure for them. GOD be with each of you.

Foster Arnett

September 14, 2007

I worked with Mark at WATE in 1981. He was a super photographer but a better person. In fact, I have a 5x7 photo of Mark and me at a live shot in the snow one year. What a fine person.

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