Paul Copeland

Paul Copeland of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma was born to John F. and Rhoda (Hackler) Copeland on June 6, 1915 on a farm east of Alex, Oklahoma and passed from this life on May 21, 2010 at his home in Pauls Valley with his grandson and son by his side. Mr. Copeland grew up on the farm east of Alex, Oklahoma and graduated high school at Dibble, Oklahoma in 1933. He attended college at Oklahoma A & M in Stillwater and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture, graduating in 1939 and was also commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the ROTC program. While attending Oklahoma A & M, Paul met Francis F. Taylor of Perry, Oklahoma and they married at Fort Worth, Texas on August 9, 1940 and were married for sixty-seven years. Paul began his work with the U. S. Department of Agriculture on November 27, 1939 but was called to serve his country in the U. S. Army during World War II. He left on a ship from the Port of New Orleans and was overseas for forty-two months. He was with infantry forces in the Southwest Pacific Theatre and saw action in the New Guinea Campaign and surrounding islands. After the war had ended, Paul entered the U. S. Army Reserves and retired as a Lt. Colonel in the 4003rd U. S. Army Reserve. After returning to his job with the Department of Agriculture he served as a conservationist at Wyoming, Mt. View, Waurika and Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Paul and his family came to Pauls Valley from Waurika where he had been SCS Work Unit Conservationist since 1951. At Pauls Valley, he was the district conservationist and worked with watershed programs in directing technical assistance to the Garvin Conservation District and Watershed Association on watershed surveys and construction work. He retired in December of 1975 after thirty-five years of service and went to work at his farm raising cattle east of Alex. Mr. Copeland always believed in the conservation of the land and water resources and always had the utmost respect for the land owners. Mr. Copeland was an active Rotarian for a number of years in Pauls Valley. He always enjoyed raising a garden and loved taking his grandson hunting and fishing. Paul always had time for his family. Mr. Copeland is survived by: His son: Glen Copeland and his wife Sharon of Blanchard, Oklahoma Grandson: Paul A. Copeland of Durant, Oklahoma 2 step-grandchildren: Matt and Bill Larsen A host of nieces and nephews Mr. Copeland was preceded in death by: His wife: Francis F. Copeland His parents: John and Rhoda Copeland 4 brothers: Fred Copeland, Melville Copeland, Bruce Copeland and J. F. Copeland 5 sisters: Beulah Harmon, Stella Johnson, Mellie Mitchell, Clara Harrell, and Grace Simonds

Paul Copeland

June 6, 1915 - May 21, 2010