Jack Kopfman

In Loving Memory
Jackie Lee (Jack) Kopfman, age 89 passed away peacefully on October 28th, 2024. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Jack was born on Jan 3rd, 1935 in Virgil, KS and was raised in Madison, KS. He was a proud Madison Bulldog and enjoyed competing in football and basketball.
He turned down a college football scholarship to work full time in the oil fields - this occupation eventually moved him to western Kansas during the 1950 dirt storms, where he landed in Lakin, KS and met his sweetheart, Joyce Hayzlett. The couple wed in 1956 and have been married for 68 years. They raised 4 children and have 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Jack was extremely proud of his children and was their #1 supporter.
Jack was a "Division A" welder with Cities Service Gas Company for many years which required relocating to Emporia, Medicine Lodge, and Wichita, KS as well as Miami, Oklahoma.
Jack and Joyce made the decision to purchase a business and settle down in Lakin, KS to raise their children. They ran Jack's Safety Service for 13 years. Jack's next career started with the State of KS in the Dept of Transportation where he held several positions before he retired in 2002.
A farmer and stockman, Jack enjoyed hunting and fishing in his spare time. He was an avid domino player and it thrilled his kids and grandkids if they ever beat him in a game. He was very proud that he built their home west of Lakin in 1982 and has lived there for the past 42 years.
Jack is a past president of the Lakin Rotary Club, a member of Lakin Emerald Lodge #289 as a Master Mason, a 32nd degree Mason of the Wichita Consistory, a (50-year) member of the ISIS Shrine Temple in Salina, KS, a lifetime member of Chapter #244 of The Order of Eastern Star, and an avid community and Lakin Bronc supporter. He spent many years supporting the Shriners Children's Hospital, and performed in many parades and events as a part of the Golden Cycles Lakin Shriners Hospital motorcycle group.
Jack is survived by his wife, Joyce; his brother Ray (Karen) Kopfman, his children; Jack (Cheryl) Kopfman, Roxie (Tom) Schafersman, Debbie (Tim) Fogarty, Kim (Devoe) Harp, eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; brothers-in-law Gary (Helen) Hayzlett, Dennis (Carmen) Hayzlett, Randy (Pam) Hayzlett, and many nieces and nephews.
Jack was preceded in death by his father Carl F. Kopfman, mother Winnie Kopfman, and sister Lola Nuessen.
The family would like to thank Dr. Miller and all of the caregivers at Kearny County Hospital for their excellent medical care and comfort care.
Graveside Services will be held on Friday November 1, 2024 at 2:00 pm in the Lakin Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of Jack's memory to the Shriners Children's Hospital.