Obituary of James Howard Copeland

James Howard Copeland passed away on December 21, 2014 at the age of 93. Jim was born in his parent's, John Frank Copeland and Laura Ethyl's, log cabin in Overton County, TN, where they lived until he was 6 years old. At that point his family "moved to town" where he was raised in Algood, TN. Jim had 2 brothers, Herschel and Willy C. (who died in childbirth). Jim was kicked out of high school by request after the 10th grade so he could join the Tennessee National Guard to earn money for the family. That was in 1938, when he was only 16. After Basic Training he became part of the Calvary Unit carrying guns on horseback. Eventually the Calvary Unit was mechanized and the horses went by the wayside. In 1940 when Jim became active duty he went from the Calvary to Artillery. He was stationed at Fort Ord (CA), Fort Luis (WA), Camp Roberts (CA), and Kingsley Field (OR). In 1944 he was shipped overseas as part of the Amtracs amphibious outfit. They traveled to Hawaii, New Caledonia, and Guadalcanal in efforts to clean up all of the material left over from the fight. They traveled around the islands in LST's. He returned Stateside in late 1945 and was discharged in Salt Lake City, Utah. He re-enlisted in early 1946 until July of '47. Jim married Ruby Cottle of Carmel, Ca in 1944. They had a daughter, Caroline, and Jim gained a step-son from Ruby's previous marriage, Lamoin Walker. He moved with Ruby to Monterey after his final discharge from The Service. He went to work for A.W. McIntyre as a carpenter's apprentice. He spent 4 years of his apprenticeship there doing everything from brick, roofing, digging ditches and cabinetry. In the 1960's he started working for Bill Harder, a contractor in Carmel, and remained with him until the 80's building dependable, quality houses in Carmel, Carmel Valley, Seaside, and all over the Monterey Coast. After Bill passed away Jim worked for various contractors building "spec" houses and remodeling homes throughout the Peninsula. Jim was a member of the Carpenters Union from 1948 until he lost his eyesight and could no longer work shortly before his passing. In 1949 he and Ruby were divorced and he married Gracia of Carson City, NV in 1952, gaining a second step-son, Jerry. They were married for 53 years until her death in Jan. 2003. When they were first married they lived in a one bedroom apartment in Seaside. In 1954 they built their first home together on Prescott, and in 1962 their second home on Lyndon. Jim is survived by his daughter, Carol; step-son, Jerry Beebe, and his children, Aaron and Jennifer Beebe; and many nieces and nephews in TN. A Memorial Service will be held for Jim on Mon. Jan. 12th at 11am at Seaside Funeral Home at Mission Memorial Park, 1915 Ord Grove Ave. in Seaside.