Melvin Luther Copeland

Melvin Luther Copeland, Jr. Col USAF (Retired), 75, of Mansfield, Texas, went to be with the
Lord on March 19, 2023, at home surrounded by his family. Mel was born on November 21,
1947, to Miriam Ovella and Melvin L. Copeland, Sr. formerly of Lubbock, Texas. Mel graduated
from Monterey High School in Lubbock in 1966, and entered the Air Force ROTC program at
Texas Tech University, where he graduated with a Civil Engineering degree and was
commissioned into the Air Force on May 16, 1970. During this time, he married high school
sweetheart, Nancy Woodward on February 28, 1970.
The beginning of a 28 year military career began with pilot training at Webb AFB, Texas, where
he received his wings in 1971 and began his flying career as a T-38 instructor pilot at Reese
AFB, Texas, until he was assigned an F-4 at Kunsan AFB, Korea. Upon his return, he was
assigned to Holloman AFB. NM, again as a T-38 instructor pilot. A short assignment to SOS
school and a new assignment to the F-15 at Holloman AFB, NM He then attended Air
Command and Staff College in Montgomery, AL, with a following assignment to Washington DC
Pentagon assignment. Returning to fly, he was assigned to Elmendorf AFB, AK, in the F-15
Eagle and served as Squadron Commander and Flight Lead Commander of the William Tell
Competition team. Later that year he received his masters degree in business management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. After Air War College, he returned once again to Washington DC Pentagon
as an Executive Officer. A duty station at Mildenhall AFB, England followed as Deputy OPS
officer for the 3rd Air Force Europe while remaining current in the F-15 at Lakenheath AFB.
Returning to the US, Mel ("Wodie") finished out his career at Norfolk Navy Air Station in Virginia
Beach, VA and retired from the Air Force on September 1, 1997. Retirement lasted a week, as
he was hired by Delta Airlines where he flew and re-retired in 2007.
Mel enjoyed playing golf, fishing, bird hunting, playing guitar, baseball and coaching his
grandsons little league teams and traveling to their tournaments cheering them on to " hit the
long one".
Mel was preceded in death by his parents and brother Richard Gregory Copeland. He is
survived by his wife, Nancy Jean of 53 years; daughter, Jennifer R. Cook and her husband,
Robert; grandsons Matthew Cook and Michael Cook; brother Samuel L. Copeland and
numerous family members and dear friends.
Live Stream: https://video.ibm.com/channel/23866912/video/m5ober