James Copeland

James Copeland, 87, Phoenix, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2016 surrounded by his daughters and Maybelle, the love of his life for over 64 yrs. Jim was born in Collinsville, TX to Charles B and Goldie L Copeland, both deceased and preceded in death by his only sibling, his beloved older brother Adrian of Granbury, TX.  He is survived by Maybelle, daughters Catherine Harris, Debra (John) Ozello and Julie Carlson, all of Phoenix, 5 grandchildren, Andrew Harris, Kristen Carlson Kosterman, Katharine (Ken) Carlson Swanson, Elizabeth Ozello and Emily (Ryan) Ozello Anderson and 3 great grandchildren. He worked for over 35 yrs. for El Paso Natural Gas Co beginning his career in Farmington, NM where he met and married Maybelle in 1952. Career moves took them to Flagstaff, AZ and El Paso, TX and after retirement relocated to where they began, Farmington, NM and a second dream home in Durango, Co. In 2006 they moved close to family with homes in Phoenix and Searcy, AR and recently full time to Phoenix. Jim had many interests and hobbies including golf, woodworking, bowling, boating and fishing, travel and teaching his grandkids all sorts of important things. Jim was known for his famous homemade strawberry ice cream, spontaneously inviting people over for supper or to the lake, to play dominos or meet up for Mexican food. Jim will be remembered and greatly missed as a loyal and generous friend, a man of great faith, a dedicated and loving husband and father and keeping his humor and thinking of others to the last moment. Celebration of Life in Jim's honor will be held on Friday, Oct 28 at 130P at La Siena Retirement Residences, 909 E Northern Ave, Phoenix AZ. Special thanks to the angels that walk amongst us from Beatitudes Skilled Nursing, Hansen Mortuary and especially Hospice of the Valley for their kind and considerate care for Jim and his family.