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Gilbert Paul Copeland
December 7, 1924 - August 18, 2013
 Gilbert Paul Copeland
Cisco
Gilbert Paul Copeland passed away Aug 18 at the age of 88. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Wed Aug 21 at the First Baptist Church in Cisco, with visitation at Kimbrough Funeral Home Tue Aug 20 from 5:00-7:00 PM.
Born in Lawn, Texas Dec 7, 1924, Gilbert was 17 when Pearl Harbor was bombed. Having contracted polio at age 12, Military Services were reluctant to let him to enlist, but he talked his way into the Coast Guard and spent the war guarding New York Harbor. After WW II he returned to Texas to study at Tarleton State College, Texas A&M, and received a Master's Degree from Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville. Gilbert taught Vocational Ag for 30 years. In Aspermont he taught the first integrated class in the State of Texas. He taught at Olden from 1954-1970 and at Cisco from 1970-1985. After retiring he worked on the restoration of the original Conrad Hilton Hotel in Cisco, and later became known as "Mr. Gilbert" at Wal-Mart in Eastland. He firmly believed if you couldn't find it there you probably didn't need it anyway. His proudest accomplishments were the lifelong relationships he maintained with former students. He loved gospel and western music and was happiest when he was singing. For years he led the singing at the Olden Baptist church, and could be found every Monday night singing at the Cisco Nursing Home with the "Monday Night Singers."
Gilbert was preceded in death by a younger brother and sister, and a grandchild, Jarrett Stacy. He is survived by children Gary Copeland and Nancy Harris, granddaughters Shelly Wallace and Ginger Bunn, and great grandchildren Haley and Hannah Wallace. We're certain he is now happily singing full time with a celestial choir.
Published in Abilene Reporter-News on August 20, 2013
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