Don was born the youngest of four children (the only boy and thus nicknamed, “Sonny”) to Mary Esther and Garrett Copeland in St. James, Missouri on June 1, 1938. Don lived a rambunctious life on the farm with 3 big sisters, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents nearby until his dad unexpectedly died in an automobile accident when he was just 10. His family soon moved to Springfield, MO where he completed his education and met his wife, Janet Lee Dosing. They married soon after she graduated high school on his birthday, June 1st, 1957. They had two daughters, Lynn and Jill and he worked hard to provide for his family thus starting his 40+ year career in sales. Don was the consummate salesman and became the Midwest Distributor for West Bend and led a sales team of over 100 for his company, House of Quality. The license plate on his car was appropriately, “Top Pot”. His later career was in real estate & tending to his shopping center.
Don was also active in his Springfield community serving in numerous positions of leadership in Sertoma. He served on the board of directors for over 20 years with The Boys & Girls Club of Springfield. Many of those years he was chairman of the property management committee and was awarded the Presidents Award in 2019.
Don and Jan spent many fun years with their 7 grandchildren at Fremont Hills celebrating summer birthdays on the patio on hole number 13 where the grandkids loved playing golf and riding around in Papa’s golf cart looking for lost balls in the ponds. They were active with Cassidy Methodist Church the years they lived in Fremont Hills. Then after moving to Kansas City started attending Mass at St. Ann where they received the sacraments this year on May 12th.
He was preceded in death by his father, Garrett and his mother, Esther; sisters, Darlene (Byron Kearby) and June (John Moore).
He is survived by his wife, Janet, his sister, Arlene Beach, his daughters, Lynn O’Leary (Terry), and Jill Hite (Kevin); and their 7 grandchildren: Ryan O’Leary (Maddy), Brendon O’Leary (Jackie), Thomas (Whitney), Mary, (Kevin Jacobs), Amy O’Leary and (fiancé RJ Trowbridge); Philip Hite, and Andrew Hite (and fiancé Kenzie Robbins); and 5 great-grandchildren; Mason, Henry, Walker, George, and Samuel.
Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Ann Catholic Church, 7231 Mission Road in Prairie Village on September 19th, 2023 at 10:00am, with prayer and burial service on October 5th, 1:00pm, at Maple Park Cemetery, 300 West Grand Street, Springfield, MO. Family invites friends to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to The Boys & Girls Club of Springfield.
We extend our love, prayers, and gratitude to the caring staff at The Village at Mission where dad and mom have lived this past year and Monarch Hospice for their support and loving care that continue for our mom, Jan, in memory care.
