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Roy Coppinger Obituary
Roy Coppinger stepped on home plate for the last time on August 27th at the age of 81. A native, he was born to Joe and Myrtle in Tolleson, Arizona. Roy attended Tempe High, achieving academic excellence while lettering in 3 sports. He went on to ASU, earning his teaching degree while playing baseball and basketball. After graduating, he enlisted in the US Air Force where he continued his basketball career. A celebrated coach at Coronado High School who touched many lives, he achieved numerous awards including National Coach of The Year. Roy was inducted into several local and National Hall of Fames. A grand man with a gentle spirit who leaves behind a legacy to his wife, children, grandchildren, and all of the athletes whose lives he helped shape. He is survived by his wife Jerry of 61 years, daughters Christy (Mark), Susie (Ray), Caralee (Kendall), grandchildren and great grand children who will cherish his memory in their hearts forever. Services will be held at 3:20 on Friday, Sept. 6th at First Christian Church, 7405 E. McDonald Dr.,
Scottsdale 85250. We encourage you to wear Coronado colors: scarlet and/or navy blue. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Roy's honor to Hospice of the Valley or Coronado High School Baseball. Arrangments entrusted to Messinger Indian School Mortuary.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Roy Coppinger
David coppinger
September 9, 2013
Hey you guy's! I'm so sorry to hear about uncle roy's passing! What a special person he was! I feel priviledged to have been related to him and all of you guy's,Even to this day people hear my last name and alway's ask if i knew uncle roy, He left quite an impression on everybody's life he touched, what a special spirit he was. I have so many fond memories of family gathering's with you all and will never forget the spread's aunt jerri would put on for thanksgiving!! You guy's stay strong because that's the way he would have wanted it, sorry i have been a stranger in the past but i am working on changing that!! Love you all! and will talk to you soon!!
Jay Himelstein
September 9, 2013
I was a Central High Bobcat, and had the privilege to play against Coach Coppinger and his mighty DONS. The one thing ALL Baseball players KNEW for sure..when they played against Coach Coppinger, they would be playing against the best prepared and well coached team in the State. EVERYBODY respected and admired this fine MAN. I salute him, and TIP MY CAP to a legend, who contributed so much to so many. RIP, SIR.
Dick McCombs
September 9, 2013
No kinder or more gentle a man have I met. He was sincere and dedicated to his work and to those around him. My game and my life were better off for having known him.
Coronado '66
Kerry Blake-Tunney
September 9, 2013
I did not have the privilege of knowing "Coach," but I knew of his great character and his dedication to his students. It was obvious to all of us at CHS that he was a gift to our school and the lives he touched. What a wonderful legacy he has left in the hearts and minds of so many.
May the family and friends of this great man find peace and joy in his memory.
Class of '72
September 8, 2013
Sympathy and respect.Robert Swanson class of 66.Lakeside,Az.
September 7, 2013
The Roy Coppinger Family would like to thank all of the Coronado High Alumni and friends for the wonderful tributes for Roy. We are honored by your words, his legacy will live on in our hearts and the way we live our lives.
Hallie Coppinger Knott
September 7, 2013
My thoughts are with all of you. As I was reading on the internet about Uncle Roy it seems that his life was very full and he touched so many people. I have great memories of family get togethers when we were all young. We are all fortunate to have known Roy and experienced his love for life. Love all of you.
LeAnna Wolkis
September 6, 2013
With children and grandchildren like the ones Roy was blessed to have, you knew he must have been an amazing father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a lucky man to have such a wonderful family. He left this world a better place because of all the lives he touched. We hope you will continue to remember all the beautiful memories you shared together.
Blessings & Love, LeAnna & Penny Wolkis
September 6, 2013
Jerry, Christie, Suze, Caralee and family,
Our prayers are with you as you go through this troubling time. Roy has been loved and will be missed by family and well as your many many friends. Phil and I have had the pleasure of knowing all of you since 1969 and we can honestly say we have never met a more gentle,caring person. You were lucky to have him in your lives.
He will live on in all of you and us.
Love, Phil and Susan Oelze
Manny Yrique
September 6, 2013
Dear Mrs. Coppinger,
My heart felt sympathies to you and your family for the loss of your husband. While I never had the pleasure to meet him, I always knew he had to be someone special because of the feelings you showed to we your students at Crocket School. What a testimony for young couples today to learn how you honored each other and your commitment to God by your 61 years of marriage. I will keep you in my prayers that Our Lord will fill your loss and comfort you in the days to come. How ironic that on Saturday the 31st, my family and I were at the ballpark when a couple sat in front of us. The woman was a striking image of how I remembered you and I told my wife many Coppinger/Komadina stories. 43 years later, the memories of you are still very strong in my mind. It is because of you, I am today. Your student forever!
Class of 1970
Mike Snep
September 6, 2013
Coach taught me more than baseball. With the right attitude, commitment and hard work you can accomplish your goals. Mike Snep 3rd base 1966 State Champs
"Coach" Bob Burger
September 6, 2013
Roy Coppinger was a mentor and a friend. Everything I know about coaching can be traced to him. I will never forget what he told me when I asked him about a question from a player's parent about when practice would be over. Roy just pointed to the gym and said: "practice is over when the sun goes behind the gym and we can no longer see the ball." Coronado will always be remembered for its baseball teams because of him!
Bill Mikulka (Gross)
September 6, 2013
It was an honor and a priviledge to call him Coach. He taught me so much more in life than how to play the game. One of the greatest compliments I can give him is whenever in difficult times, I always ask myself how would Coach handle this situation.
He will never be forgotten as he will live in the hearts of so many.
Thoughts and prayers to Jeri and the rest of the family.
Rest In Peace Coach!!!
Roland Dezentje
September 6, 2013
I only knew Coach while I was in High School, class of '70. He was my P.E. Teacher. What a great person he was. Never a harsh word. He'll be missed.
Carol Shew
September 5, 2013
Jeri, and Family, I send my deepest sympathy at the loss of your husband and father. I hope your many memories will bring comfort to all of you. You and your families are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Carol Shew
Bill Kircher
September 5, 2013
Coach Coppinger was a Great Man. I was Fortunate to be Neighbors with the Family. I knew him my Whole Life. When I was a Youngster, My Dream was to Play Baseball for Coach Coppinger. Thanks for That Opportunity. Rest in Peace, Coach. Prayers to the Family.
Ron Pacioni -1969
September 5, 2013
Coach Coppinger was the "most special" among all the very special. I was blessed to play, and learn from him during the 1968 and 1969 seasons. I am
so thankful for all the life lessons that he taught us all. Much love to his
wonderful family.
Baseball fields and scoreboard dedication '08
Tony Cooper
September 5, 2013
A great man, baseball coach, teacher, mentor, friend, and human being. He will be greatly missed. Prayers of comfort and healing to his dear wife Mrs. (Jeri) Coppinger, his daughters (son-in-laws), grandchildren (spouses), great-grand children and family.
Rest In Peace, Coach.
Kent Bolin
September 5, 2013
In a thousand life times you do not meet a rare man like you Coach Coppinger. Only divinity and providence blesses us all when we do. Thank you for that fortune Coach. Your guidance was rock solid and spot on. To your family, may they know peace and joy and happiness for the so many that will celebrate your grand life and live their lives well because of your example. Will run a wind sprint for you tonite - slowly - and remember the rise and fall and sound of that fungo stick...but mostly the wonderful man who carried it. GBU, Kent CHS '72
Louise Laughlin
September 5, 2013
Coach was my driver's Ed teacher. At Hil Brady's funeral ten years after I graduated, I introduced myself to Coach. He said, "I know you. You were the only student I had that could drive faster backwards than forwards." Nice and funny man.My condolences to the family.
Art Tobin
September 5, 2013
When I think back to high school glory days, Coronado Baseball and coach Coppinger are my fondest memories. He was a quiet leader that brought the best out in all of us. God Bless.
September 4, 2013
RR
Eddie Ramirez
September 4, 2013
Sincere condolences Coach. You will be dearly missed....
1983 Varsity Baseball
Doug Burkhardt
September 4, 2013
I will never forget Coach Coppinger's fondness for his fungo bat whether it was his unbelievable ability to hit mile high fly balls straight up into the air, or dropping it like a flag to start another leg of wind sprints. Memories I will never forget. – Coronado Varsity Baseball '83-'84
Wes W.
September 4, 2013
Roy and his wife are two of the kindest people I've known. As a friend of one of his grandson's, I always enjoyed his summer baseball camps and he would always offer to drive me home from his camp-just the kind of nice guy he was. As a kid growing up around their family, I was always struck by the warmth and love they created and shared. A beautiful tapestry of life continues because of him-through his family, players, students, and friends. What a wonderful man.
A Coronado Don
September 4, 2013
Coach Coppinger was a father figure to so many young men. Thank you for taking care of us on your journey. God bless Mrs. Coppinger and the family.
Scott Wald
September 4, 2013
I had the honor to play for Coach Coppinger.He was truly a great man, coach and teacher.He will be missed.
Rest in Peace and God Bless
September 4, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. Roy was a wonderful man and welcomed my family into his home with his sweet wife Jerry many times. Thank you for your kindness, generosity and the fun not just in Scottsdale but in Pinetop also!
Love Yvonne Carey Groathouse
Jane & Doug Ressler
September 4, 2013
Roy have a sweet ride will meet again one day
John Hicks
September 3, 2013
I will always remember Coach for his willingness to help his students, players and coaches.
Always a class act and I consider myself very fortunate to have known him.
God Bless you Coach and God Bless your family.
With thoughts and prayers
John
Showing 1 - 30 of 30 results
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Messinger Mortuaries- Indian School Mortuary7601 East Indian School Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
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