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Thomas Ervin 'Tom' Copeland
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July 11, 1927 ~ November 8, 2012 |
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November 9, 2012 |
 Thomas
Ervin Copeland 85, passed away November 8, 2012.
Services will be at the Bonners Ferry Free
Methodist Church at 1 p.m. November 17.
Tom was born in Spokane on July 11,1927. He
moved to Bonners Ferry with his family in
September of that year.
Tom grew up working on the family farm in
Bonners Ferry. He graduated from Bonners Ferry
High School in 1945. Tom then joined the Navy.
He served in the Navy 1945-1949 working as a
ship's boiler man transporting recruits to
Europe.
Tom married Billie Jean Moore on September 21,
1951. Tom and Billie Jean were together until
her death in 1988.
Tom loved farming and took over the family farm
from his father and grandfather. He worked the
farm until he retired in 1992. He was always
very active in his community serving on the
co-op board, the ASCS committee both locally and
at the state level. He was a member of the
Eagles and Knights of Pythias. He was a lifelong
member of the grange at the local and at the
state level. He was involved in the Idaho Wheat
Commission traveling often to meetings. Tom was
also a member of the American Legion and served
on the honor guard for many years.
Tom was an avid card player. Bowling was also a
passion of his for many years bowling on several
different leagues. He enjoyed time spent with
family and being on the farm whenever he could.
He was a snowbird for many years both to
California and Arizona. He loved talking about
the good old days and wasn't a fan of too much
progress.
He moved to the Boundary County Restorium where
he spent many years. He was very happy and
enjoyed living there. Tom was dad, he was
grandpa, he was Uncle Tom. He was loved by many
and always ready with advice, sometimes even
when you didn't ask. He touched the lives of all
who knew him and set a great example of hard
work and family dedication for his children and
grand children.
Tom is survived by his five children Jim (Larry)
Copeland, Roy (Fang) Copeland, Larry (Pam)
Copeland, Sandi Copeland and Patti (Bob)
Thomson. Brother Delbert (Sydney) Copeland,
sisters Mary (Les) VanEtten and Linda Krasselt.
12 grand children, and 29 great grand children
He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and
Clista Casey Copeland, wife Billie Jean
Copeland, wife Rita Copeland, loving companion
Myrta Kjos and granddaughter Tanya Trulove. The
family asks that in lieu of flowers donation be
made to the Boundary County Restorium Memorial
Fund. 6619 Kaniksu Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
Family and friends are invited to sign Tom’s
book at
www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of
Bonners Ferry Funeral Home. |
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