H. Cary Coppock

H. Cary Coppock
October 4, 1916 - January 27, 2015
Dr. H. Cary Coppock was born to Homer J. and Mabel Cary Coppock in Central City, NE, where his father was president of Nebraska Central College, a small Quaker (Society of Friends) school. He spent his youth in Hyde Park, south Chicago, then received degrees from Earlham College (A.B.) and the University of Chicago (B.S.) both in 1938. He continued at the University of Chicago Medical School earning an M.D. in 1941. Interning at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he met his bride, Lillian Van Baalen, in R.N. training there.
After a brief courtship Cary and Lillian married on January 22, 1943 - Cary having been called to active duty with the Army Air Medical Corps. From February 1943 to June 1946 he tended troops on both coasts returning from Atlantic and Pacific theaters, evacuating the wounded across two oceans. Following his military discharge after WWII, Dr. Coppock entered private practice in Tacoma, WA. The couple moved to Ellensburg in 1947 when Cary was invited to join The Valley Clinic. Over the years he developed a well-regarded practice in family medicine that lasted to his retirement. He was a charter diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice.
Cary and Lillian were active members of First Presbyterian Church in Ellensburg where he served as elder and sang in the choir. The couple retired to Olalla, WA, in 1982 where they enjoyed the Puget Sound seascape and welcomed family and friends. In 2001, they settled into the retirement community at Mary's Woods in Lake Oswego, OR and most recently to its assisted living apartments. While at Mary's Woods they served as Deacons of Lake Grove Presbyterian Church-calling on others as long as they were able.
Cary died peacefully on January 27, 2015, five days after he and Lillian had reached their 72nd wedding anniversary. Cary is survived by his devoted wife Lillian, the four Coppock children-Bob (Elizabeth) of Happy Valley, OR, Ruth (Ralph) Nottingham of Portland, Sue (Greg) Simon of Gig Harbor, WA, and Karel (Julie) of Richland, WA; by grandchildren Paul, Karl, and Benjamin Coppock (sons of Bob & Elizabeth); Eric and Jan Simon, and Heather Simon Horst; Jeremy, Robin, and Olivia Coppock (children of Karel and Julie); and by ten great-grandchildren.
We thank God for the steady, quiet integrity of Cary Coppock's life. Interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery. A service of Christian worship remembering Cary and honoring his Lord Jesus Christ will be held at Mary's Woods in Lake Oswego, OR, on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lake Grove Presbyterian Church, Lake Oswego, OR (www.lakegrovepres.org) or to World Vision USA, Federal Way, WA (www.worldvision.org).