Donald Wayne Copeland

Mr. Copeland was born February 27, 1938 in LaGrange, son of the late Joseph Thomas Copeland and Rachel Simpkins Copeland. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of LaGrange. Mr. Copeland was employed with West Point Stevens and later Stewart Wholesale before retiring. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Joe A. Copeland and a sister, Peggy Elliot.

Mr. Copeland was a 1956 graduate of LaGrange High School, where he played basketball, tennis, and football and was a member of the 1955 state championship football team. He went on to play tennis and basketball at Young Harris College and LaGrange College, where he was named NAIA All American two consecutive years. He was an avid fisherman and loved attending Granger football games and watching the Georgia Bulldogs.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Rakestraw Copeland of LaGrange; two daughters, Carol Ann Copeland Kinzer (Steve) of Alpharetta, GA and Kay Copeland of LaGrange; and one grandson, Brandon Hale of Auburn, AL; sister-in-law, Marion Killingsworth Copeland; several nieces and nephews; cousins and special friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, January 13, 2013 at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary Chapel with Dr. Harold Lawrence and Reverend Max McCord officiating.

The gathering of family and friends will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of LaGrange, 401 Broad Street, LaGrange, GA 30240; Hospice LaGrange, 1510 Vernon Road, LaGrange, GA 30240; or Wesley Woods Geriatric Hospital in Atlanta, GA.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636