Raymond A Kopczyk

He was preceded in death by Helen Mary Kopczyk, his wife of 60 years

Ray was born in Chicago, Ill. in 1933. In 1951, he married his best friend, Helen. He received his Dental Degree from Northwestern University. After completing Dental School, Ray joined the Air Force where he earned the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was stationed at Hunter Air Force Base in Georgia, Grant Heights in Japan, Travis Air Force Base in California, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and Scott Air Force Base in Ill. While in the Air Force, Ray attended Ohio State University receiving his advanced dental degree in Periodontics.

In 1969, Ray retired from the Air Force and moved his family to Lexington, Ky. where he joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. He eventually became Chairman of the Periodontics Department, and, for a while, he was simultaneous Chairman of the Periodontics Departments at both the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville Dental Schools.

In addition to his administrative and teaching duties, Ray completed a significant amount of dental research studies and published dozens of professional articles in Dental Journals. He was also an international speaker giving dental lectures in the USA, China, Canada and Italy. He also served as President of the Southern Academy of Periodontology. His sons, Tony and Larry, followed in his footsteps, both graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.

Besides his family, Ray’s passion was jazz music. If he wasn’t playing jazz, he was thinking music, humming music, or tapping out rhythms with his fingers. He started playing tenor sax professionally in his teens using the name Ray Kops. A consummate musician, he also played soprano, alto and baritone sax, clarinet, flute, electric bass, upright bass, accordion and concertina. He also wrote arrangements for jazz bands and up to 18 piece orchestras. When he wasn’t playing a gig, he was practicing, filling his home with wonderful music. Ray’s music enthusiasm persuaded his son, Tony, to play professionally also. For about 10 years, Ray and Tony played in various bands together in Lexington, Ky. His daughter, Alison, developed an interest in music playing both the flute and piano. Instead of music, his son, Larry, found his rhythm in sports, playing high school, college and professional basketball and college golf.

Although, he was never able to make a visit to his homeland, Poland, Ray remained true to his heritage speaking the language, following traditions and tracing his ancestry with genealogy research back to his roots in Poland and Austria.

He was an avid fisherman and took his family and annual fishing trips to Wisconsin and Canada. Loving the water, fishing and warm climates, he and Helen retired to the Florida Keys in 1993.

They lived in Islamorada, on Lower Matecumbe Key for a number of years. It was a favorite place for the family to visit, fish and dive. Severe hurricane damage to the home two years in a row persuaded them to move to Punta Gorda, Florida on the west coast. He continued to play music with various bands and orchestras and at his church. Ray was a member of the Charlotte County Jazz Society and a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

His wife, Helen, passed away in 2011. He married Kay Matthews in 2015 and they remained together until his passing.

He is survived by his children, Dr. Tony (Donna) Kopczyk of Ocala, FL, Dr. Larry (Cindy) Kopczyk of Lexington, KY and Alison (Jim) Freeman of Greensboro, NC, and his wife, Kay Kopczyk.

He was “”Papa” to his 8 grandchildren: Jenny Morrin, Jason Kopczyk, Dr. Brian Kopczyk Vieth, Doug Vieth, Ben Hoffman, James Freeman III, Adam Freeman and Brooke Pierre; and 12 great-grandchildren, Keagan Morrin, Tristan Morrin, Addison Veith, Judson Veith, Noah Freeman, Isabella Pierre, Melody Pierre, Charlotte Freeman, Ava Freeman, Wheeler Freeman, Mackenzie Freeman and Lucy Freeman.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the American Heart Association in Ray’s memory. Memorial Services will be held on June 21st at Christ the King Catholic Church in Lexington, KY.