Raymond J. Copeland

Raymond J. Copeland, 79, of Rogue River died Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, at his home. Interment with military honors will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Grants Pass USBC (United States Bowling Congress) Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1807, Rogue River, OR 97537; or to Lovejoy Hospice, 939 S.E. Eighth St., Grants Pass, OR 97526. He was born Aug. 30, 1931, in Mangum, Okla., to Champ and Alma Copeland. He served in the Air Force and was honorably discharged on Oct. 26, 1951. On July 11, 1953, in Seaside, he married Virginia "Ginny" Mote, who survives. They moved to Grants Pass in September 1959 from Albany. Over the years, he worked for several mills and, most recently, he worked for Roseburg Forest Products. From the 1960s to the late 1970s, he managed the Sunny Valley Speedway. He enjoyed working, serving as a camp host at Howard Prairie, fishing, hunting, bowling, playing Texas Hold 'Em with family and friends, and watching NASCAR. In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Teresa Gibson and Vanessa Copeland, both of Rogue River; two sons, Robin and Ken Copeland, both of Merlin; a brother, Bob Copeland of Albany; a sister, Elsie Scardina of Albany; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.