James Clyde Copeland

James ”Jimbo” Clyde Copeland passed away on Monday, September 15th surrounded by his four children of natural causes. He was born on July 7, 1952 in Dayton Ohio. He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Joann Copeland and his brother Joe.

Jim grew up in Ohio and often spoke fondly of his life there, growing up with his brothers and then moving to Rockford, Illinois. He wore his Guilford Vikings sweatshirt all his life. He later moved to Rexburg, Idaho where he earned his associate’s degree from Ricks College. He served an honorable full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Northern Arizona Mission. Upon returning from his mission he moved to Provo, Utah to attend Brigham Young University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in communications and minored in history. Jim married the mother of his children, Teri Lei (1983), and later divorced. He then married Jill Taylor (2006) and moved to Weber County, where they later divorced.

Throughout his life, Jim enjoyed great food, great music, and great movies. His fondness for Costco runs and Maverik bathrooms was legendary. His greatest love (aside from his kids and grandchildren) was the great American pastime of baseball. He would zealously count down when teams reported for spring training and the beginning of the season, then feel sad when the season ended.

While his kids grew up, Jim loved attending all of their sports events, choir concerts, stage productions, and playing catch with each of them. Jim later enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports (especially baseball), and all of their activities. He even learned to enjoy watching soccer! Jim loved showing them old Looney Tunes and Disney cartoons, going to Bees games, and treating them with a trip to Disneyland. He had a special bond with each of his 9 grandchildren and even had the privilege of his last grandchild being named after him (Robbie James). He loved all of his nieces and nephews no matter what chapter of his life he was in (‘once my nieces and nephews, always my nieces and nephews’).

He is survived by his children Tara (Kade), Ryan (Lola), Dustin (Kristen), Dallin (Haeree), his grandchildren (Mia, Hunter, Brooks, Ethan, Rylee, JD, Beckerman, Tyler, and Robbie), Nona, and his brothers (and best friends) Ron, John, and Larry.

Services will be held at Aaron’s Mortuary and Crematory (1050 S State St, Clearfield Utah, 84015) on Monday, September 22nd. Viewing from 9:30am-10:30am, followed by funeral services at 11:00am. In honor of Jim, baseball hats are encouraged! Graveside service to be held immediately following at West Point Cemetery (80 N 4000 W, West Point City, Utah 84015).