Fred Copps

Frederic "Fred" C. Copps, age 78, died peacefully on April 16, 2024, in Naples, FL. Fred was born in Stevens Point, WI, on January 25, 1946; the son of Gordon and Marguerite "Peg" Copps. He attended St. Stephen Catholic School and graduated from Pacelli High School in Stevens Point in 1964. He graduated from Regis College (University) in Denver, CO, in 1968. Upon graduation, Fred served his country in the Army Reserves from 1968 to 1974. While in high school, Fred asked Penny to the junior prom. She became the love of his life and they married in June 1968. Fred & Penny were blessed to share over 55 years of marriage. They proudly called Stevens Point home and raised their family there.
After college, Fred joined the family business, the Copps Corporation, a grocery business that proudly served customers for 109 years. It was owned and managed by four generations of the Copps family prior to its sale, in 2001. Fred worked alongside his brothers, Tim and Tom, and his cousins, Mike and Donald "Lucky". Fred held positions in buying, merchandising, warehousing and eventually became the Executive Vice President of Wholesaling. He was especially proud of managing the design, development and building of the perishable warehouse and the addition of the corporate office and warehouse. The business became one of the top ten largest private businesses in the state of Wisconsin – comprised of 23 Copps Food Centers (supermarkets), 6500 employees and a distributor to 47 independently owned and operated IGA supermarkets. Along with his brothers and cousins, Fred continued the legacy that their great-grandfather, Ebert Morton Copps, created when he founded Copps Corporation in 1892 on the shores of the Wisconsin River in Stevens Point. That is, they aimed to not only "Exceed the Customer's Expectations", but also take care of their many loyal employees and give back to the local communities through countless charitable contributions and partnerships.
Golf was one of Fred's true passions and he was a life-long student of the game. Among Fred's most cherished memories was playing a round with Arnold Palmer. Another special experience was playing the Augusta National Course with his brothers. Augusta, home of The Masters, was founded and designed by Bobby Jones. Fred admired Bobby Jones not only for his golf game, but for his philosophy on that game called life.
"Friends are a man's priceless treasurers, and a life rich in friendship is full indeed." -Bobby Jones
While watching the Masters on TV this past April with his two sons, Fred was able to still recount in great detail the shots he made that special day at Augusta. His sons also hold dear the memory of accompanying him to the Ryder Cup in 2016 in Chaska, MN, which became his final of many golf events as a spectator.
Fred was a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan. He braved the legendary Ice Bowl with Penny in 1967 – the coldest game in NFL history with a kickoff temperature of -18 F and a wind chill of -48F. Over the years, he enjoyed nothing more than venturing to Lambeau Field with his wife, sons, brothers, sister, grandchildren and friends. Whether it was driving in all kinds of unpredictable Wisconsin weather, enjoying tailgating, debating questionable defensive schemes or celebrating Packer victories, Fred cherished sharing these "Packer" moments and memories.
Fred was deeply committed to the Stevens Point community over his lifetime. Some of his personal involvement included the United Way Board of Directors, Pacelli High School Foundation and Advisory Council, St. Stanislaus Parish Finance Committee, Wisconsin Special Olympics, Operation Bootstrap, Stevens Point Country Club Board, and Co-Chair for the Stevens Point Area Catholic Schools "Growth for the 21st Century" Capital Campaign. He was honored as the Distinguished Alumni of Pacelli High School in 2000.
Fred's legacy is not only in his professional and community achievements, but more importantly in the love he left behind and the many lives he touched with kindness and warmth. He was a man of faith, who deeply loved his family, who could always see the good in situations and other people and ensured everyone else's needs were met before his own. His smile, warm voice and laughter radiated love of others and of life itself. Fred took great joy in attending every sporting event for all three of his sons – not missing a single game, a record he held dear. Later in life, he found new joy spending time with his grandchildren and attending their dance recitals, concerts and sporting events. He will be sorely missed and remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend.
Fred is survived by his wife, Penny; two sons, Mark (Heather) Copps, Minnetonka, MN, and Brian Copps, Miami, FL; granddaughter, Clara; grandsons, Benjamin and William; sister, Barbara Hubley, Appleton, WI; and his brother, Tom Copps, Naples, FL; as well as his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Eric Copps; brothers, Timothy and David; and his parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Fred will be held at 11:00am on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church – 2151 Stanley St., Stevens Point, WI. Friends and family are invited to a visitation at Holy Spirit from 10:00am until the time of services on Friday. Shuda Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pacelli Catholic Schools at 1301 Maria Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54481, or Operation Bootstrap at 636 Janick Circle West, Stevens Point, WI 54481.