A.C. 'Cecil' Copeland

March 16, 1928 - June 7, 2010

A.C. 'Cecil' Copeland, son of Paul Copeland and Blantye Riddle and buried in Resthaven Memorial Park, Midland, Midland Co., Texas.

A.C. "Cecil" Copeland, 82, a loving father, grandfather and brother passed away Monday, June 7, 2010. A. C. was born in Lawn, Texas, to Blantye and Paul Copeland on March 16, 1928.

He attended college and played basketball at the following universities: Texas Tech, Tarleton and Sul Ross State. After graduating college he served for the United States Army in Korea during the Korean War. Upon fulfilling his service to the U.S. Army, he began a teaching and coaching career in Mozell, Texas. In 1957, he moved to Rankin, Texas, and spent 33 years as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent for the Rankin ISD. After retiring as superintendent, he moved to Midland, Texas, and worked for several years as a consultant for The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). The last three years he resided in Bedford, Texas, to be close to family. A.C. was well-known and respected by all his former students. Anytime you ever mentioned his name, people would always say how much they looked up to him and always described him as such a good man and a great role model. He left a lasting impression on all that he came in contact with.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister Eddie Lou Papasan.

A.C. is survived by sons Greg Copeland and wife Monica, Curtis Copeland and wife Cindy; daughter Lisa Zoller and husband Mark; and brother Gilbert Copeland. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Heath (wife Amy), Hunter (wife Mary Kate), Landry, Courtney, Lindsey, Caylee and Alisha, who will all dearly miss their beloved "PaPa."

The family will received friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 10, 2010, at Ellis Funeral Home. A celebration of A. C.'s life took place during a graveside service was at 10 a.m. Friday, June 11, 2010, in Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland.