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Charles "Chuck" Copeland was my dad. He was born on November 16, 1949 [to Virgil and Jessie Copeland], and died March 2, 1995. He was an educator at Herbert Green Middle School where he taught for over twenty-three years. He specifically taught World and American history to 7th and 8th grade students. Prior to teaching history he taught all the primary subjects along with band, drama and chorus. He loved teaching and the kids loved him. At Herbert Green he was known as "The Hero." My mom and dad traveled to Europe before I was born. Since 1990 I had the opportunity to spend each Easter and summer vacations visiting different parts of the country with my mom and dad. It is a very memorable experience; as a family we visited 44 states, 3 countries, Washington D.C. and the United Nations. In my dad's lifetime he visited all fifty states except Alaska. In October of 1995, my dad's parents participated in a week long cruise to Alaska. As the ship was departing on that day, they threw a single red rose off the balcony into the water in memory of their son. The rose managed to stay alive through the entire week of the cruise. My dad was avidly involved in Boy Scouts of America. He received the Eagle Scout and Distinguished Service Awards. He was also the recipient of the highest award in scouting: the Silver Beaver. He spent several summers as a camp director at several local Scout camps. Chuck loved music--signing, playing the piano and accordion were his favorite, yet he was able to play virtually every instrument imaginable. In his spare times he taught piano lessons to dozens of students. Performing was a favorite. He had the good fortune to direct and act in over 75 musicals and plays throughout his life. The last musical he participated in was Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat where he doubled his role as one of the brothers and as the orchestra conductor--a task only he could complete. The funeral was held at the LDS Church. The chapel, overflow, gym, and stage were packed with friends, family, students and past students. We even had to turn some people away because there was no room. Many people said, "It was a full house funeral, just like many of his productions." Herbert Green dedicated the Activity Room to Mr. Copeland and dedicated a portion of the 1995 class mural to him. The Activity Room is now known as the Charles R. Copeland Center for the Performing Arts. In May 1995 I was able to complete a 3-hiur video memorial, "This is Your Life, Charles R. Copeland." The tape included an interview, pictures, and a lifetime of memories. See also: "Our Living Quilt," Affinity, June 2000, pp. 6-7. Please add your own tribute by sending an email to
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www.affirmation.org