Dale Edward Copeland

NEWCASTLE
Dale Edward Copeland was born on May 23, 1939 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma to Aubrey and Bertie Copeland. He attended grade school in Sequoyah County at the Copeland School. The family moved to Dutton, Oklahoma in 1948. He attended Pocasset High School and graduated in 1958. While going to Central State College he worked on the Rock Island Railroad as a brakeman. Dale met his beautiful wife, Judith Mitchell, in July 1961 at the Dibble Freewill Baptist Youth Camp. In October 1961 he joined the U.S. Army and went to basic training at Fort Carson, Colorado. He attended radio teletype training at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Dale and Judith married on May 15, 1962 in Dibble. Dale returned to Georgia and was deployed to Germany in October 1962. Judith joined him in Germany in March 1963. They lived there until July 1964 when they returned to Oklahoma and Dale was discharged from the Army in October. Their daughter, Monique, was born in October 1964. He went to work for Aero Commander in Bethany and they lived in Moore during this time. Dale became an insurance agent for Farmers Insurance Group in 1965. They moved to Del City in 1968 and had their second daughter, Paige, in December. They moved to Oklahoma City in 1971 and lived there until 1978 when they moved to Newcastle. They built 2 of the first earth sheltered homes in Oklahoma. One home for them and one for Dale’s parents. During this time Dale was instrumental in helping form the Blanchard EMS, helped to restart the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and helped to build the Newcastle Sports Complex. Dale became an independent insurance agent in 1987 until he retired in 1999. They built and owned Alpine Boat and RV Storage from 1999-2014.
He loved hunting, fishing, playing cards, camping, canoeing, traveling with his family, coin collecting, gold panning and planning class reunions. He also enjoyed gardening with his family and parents. They had over 300 roses and a large vegetable garden. Dale was Paige’s softball coach for 10 years and had fun playing softball as well. His men’s team went to the U.S. Senior Olympics in 1994. Dale and Judith had many adventures together including getting his pilots license, owning several restaurants, a food truck, raising quail, collecting Copeland china, becoming Master Gardner’s and researching their family ancestry. Dale and Judith also traveled to all 50 states and all 10 provinces of Canada.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Aubrey and Bertie Copeland, and a nephew Keith Copeland. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judith Copeland, daughters, Monique Copeland and Paige Vetter and husband Bill; grandchildren, Nathan and wife Lorena Klein, Keegan Klein, Emily and Evan Vetter; and great grandson Kairo Klein; sister Wilma Sanders and husband Jim, brothers Ray Copeland, Jim Copeland and wife Barbara, Roy Copeland and wife Tamra; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service will be Saturday, April 6, 2019, at 11:00 am at the Freewill Baptist Church of Newcastle, 3133 NW 24th Street, Newcastle, Oklahoma. Visitation following the service. Dale’s body was donated to University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine Willed Body Program per Dale’s request.
The family would like to give special thanks to the Mercy Hospice, especially Victoria and Renee for their wonderful care of Dale. Also, special thanks to the Free Will Baptist Church of Newcastle, Pastor Frank Giles and all othe congregation, for all of the support and prayers.
Dale Edward Copeland
May 23, 1939 - April 3, 2019