James Doyle 'Jim' Copeland

(July 10, 1936 ~ July 27, 2020)

FORT WORTH - James D. (Jim) Copeland was born in Taylor County, near Lawn, Texas on July 10, 1936. He went home to our Lord on July 27, 2020, at the age of 84. The son of Guy T. and Ida V. Copeland, he learned the value of hard work and a West Texas "education" growing up on the family stock farm. After graduation from Lawn High School in 1954, Jim joined the U.S. Army. He served in the 11th Airborne Division from 1954 until 1957, including two and a half years as an occupation troop at Flak Kaserne in Germany near Augsburg. Along with training as a paratrooper, Jim's position in his unit was as the finance officer, in other words, he paid the men. Upon returning to the U.S., he took a job at Citizens National Bank in Abilene, Texas, as a bookkeeper. That employment set his career in banking in motion.

Jim attended McMurry College (now University) in Abilene, Texas from September 1959 until January 1962, then transferred and graduated from Southern Methodist University in January 1963 with a BBA in Banking and Finance. His thirty-year career in commercial banking included positions in Lubbock, Littlefield, Moran, and at Farmers & Merchants State Bank in Ballinger, Texas, where he served as President for 19 years. Following commercial banking, he was a National Bank Examiner for 20 years with the U.S. Treasury Department, from which he retired in December 2010.

He met the love of his life, Sue Murphy, a McMurry Freshman, on a blind date in September of 1958. They were married May 21st, 1960 and celebrated their 60th anniversary this year. Jim and Sue raised two sons and a daughter while living in Ballinger, Texas for 21 years. Always a family man, Jim was supportive of and present at Sue's and the children's numerous activities. He was a very active member of the First Methodist Church (including singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, and Chairman of the Board). He was also an officer in Lion's Club, member of the Ballinger High School "Bearcat" Booster Club, and Independent Bankers Association of Texas. For 11 years, the entertainment highlight of his time in Ballinger was singing tenor and performing in the Ballinger Community Choir, along with his wife. (Fred and Ginger watch out!) He also served as the Choir Treasurer and Advisor to the Director.

Jim and Sue moved to Fort Worth in 1989 where Sue still resides. Jim was a member of the talented Overton Park (now Arborlawn) United Methodist Church choir and truly loved worshiping the Lord in song. He was also a member of Faith Bible Class. Although he traveled Texas extensively for work, both during his career and retirement, landscaping and maintaining his pristine yard was his pride and joy. He was also an avid sports fan having played all sports in high school and baseball and fastpitch softball in adult leagues. He loved to read, especially anything about American history, and was adamant his family learn to appreciate and respect our country's past in order to be prepared for the future. Jim was a true patriot (favorite movie was "Patton"), dedicated to his family and country. He was much loved and will be missed.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; two younger brothers; a younger sister; and a nephew.

Survivors: Beloved wife; younger brother, Charles Copeland and sister-in-law, Linda (niece, Michelle Copeland); son, Brad Copeland (Diane); son, Todd Copeland (Debbie); daughter, Suzette Hébert; grandchildren, Danielle Copeland, Kevin Copeland (Madison), Desireé Kemp (Nathan) and Ashton Hebert; three other nieces; and one nephew.

Greenwood Memorial Park
3100 White Settlement Road
Fort Worth, TX, 76107