RIP Bobby Copeland
Tributes.com
Bobby James Copeland, 81, entered eternal rest October 5, 2016 after battling bladder cancer with great dignity and courage. He was cheerful, kind and a loving husband, father, grandfather & friend. Bobby was a faithful member of Central Baptist Church for 63 years, where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, various committees, Go-Getter Gazette editor, & usher. He was employed at ORNL and retired September 30, 1996, after 40 years of service.
He was co-owner of "The Coin Shop" in Grove Center and enjoyed this hobby for about 20 years. Bobby was co-founder of Riders of the Silver Screen Club in Knoxville, serving as president numerous years, and editor of their monthly newsletter. He was a world renowned author of B-Western books totally 28, and enjoyed 'playing cowboy' and traveling to western film festivals for 30 years. Bobby contributed articles to Western Clippings and Wrangler's Roost for many years. Arriving in Oak Ridge from Fayetteville, TN, at age 10, he loved growing up here and was interested in preserving stories and pictures about life in the Secret City. "Oak Ridge, The Way It Was" was published in early 2015.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Saundra Simmons Copeland, and parents: Jack and Estelle Copeland.
Survivors to cherish his memory are loving wife of 40 years, Joan Cotter Copeland, sons Michael D. Copeland and wife Donna, Roanoke, VA, Lance B. Copeland and wife, Lisa, Knoxville, TN. Grandchildren: Samuel J. Copeland, Fort Walton Beach, FL, Leah B. Cowell and husband Brett, Fairfax, VA, and Landon Chase Copeland, Knoxville, TN. Brothers: Joe C. Copeland, Oak Ridge, TN, Ben W. Copeland, Land O'Lakes, FL, P. Jack Copeland and wife Phyllis, Knoxville, TN, and John David Copeland, Alexandria, VA. Sisters-in law: Anita Dunn, Oak Ridge, Jean Greenawalt, Sligo, PA, and Brother and Sister-in law: Jerry and Sherri Cotter, Knoxville, TN. Several nieces and nephews.
The family thanks CARIS Healthcare for their superb care, as well as Dr. Robert Casey, Dr. Mark Bowles, Dr. William Strike, and Dr. John Foust. Our gratitude to all who have encouraged us through this journey with prayers, cards, and many acts of kindness.
Greeting of friends will be held at Central Baptist Church, Oak Ridge, TN, October 10, 5-7PM. Celebration of life to follow at 7PM with Rev. Glenn Ellis officiating. Interment at Anderson Memorial Gardens October 11, 12PM.
Pallbearers are Harold Adair, Hugh McGinnis, Hugh Richards, Lowell Shoopman, Scott Underwood, and David Weisgerber. Honorary Pallbearers are Elmer Smith's Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929, or MMC of Oak Ridge Hospitality House, 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.
COPELAND, Bobby (Robert James Copeland)
Born: 1/13/1935, Flintville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Died: 10/5/2016, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Bobby Copeland’s westerns – author:
Gabby Hayes: King of the Cowboy Comics
Sunset Carson: The Adventures of a Cowboy Hero
Smiley Burnette: We Called Him Frog
Johnny Mack Brown: Up Close and Personal
Bill Elliott: The Peaceable Man
Roy Barcroft: King of the Badmen
Charlie King - We Called Him Blackie
The Whip Wilson Story
The Bob Baker Story
Tom Tyler
Silent Hoofbeats
Best of the Badmen
Five Heroes -- Featuring Russell Hayden, Eddie Dean, Tom Keene, John "Dusty" King and
George Houston
B-Western Boot Hill
Trail Talk
Fuzzy St. John: Our Fuzzy Q. Jones