Jan 15th -2015 

Still see all our memories of GOOD TIMES
(on the water )and (in the woods) doing what God intended us to do--ENJOY NATURE !!
Miss our Pal !!

The (MEL) Desha family !

Time flies as we reach the last quadrant of our lives here on earth. I am so proud of you, the things that you made of your life, the people you touched. I feel you near often, not as much as in the beginning, but still.

A year already. I remember our talks... We never met in person, but he was my friend. The pathology book he gave me is displayed proudly in my office.

Its so hard to believe that a year has already gone by. Your compassion,  wisdom and humor is greatly missed. There is so much that you taught myself and others that will be carried on through life's journey. Hub Bub with the best Cope.

Dear Cope, We're going to miss you, a very caring and big hearted man. It was such a pleasure to have worked with you. Now you are no longer in pain.  God bless you always.

Dad you are my dad I love you so much I miss you more than any thing I'm not done I have grown but to lat I need you here to see that I'm actually can sleep on rainy nights and practice the two rules in life golden rule treat others the way you want to be treated... If there's a problem with following that rule go to rule two ..just do right ... Responsibility imagination and have have fun ......I always had the last two there isn't a second that I don't think of you there is a piece of me gone with you gone I love you dad I know you are shill with me all the time. .......
Chris cope

Oh, Cope. So many good memories have flooded my mind as I looked at all the sweet condolences in your guest book. I hope you knew, even a little, of how much we all thought of and cared for you! Starting the practice with you on Indian Rocks Road was such a blessing in so many ways. Your love and tender compassion for our patients (who often came in scared but left comforted and healing) just made me respect you all the more. So many years later, when I resided in Florida again to take care of my dad, you came to the rescue. I called you because of the good work I had seen you do for so many and I TRUSTED you with my dad's care and you did not disappoint! Not everyone knew of your superlative generosity, but you showed it once again by taking care of Dad gratis. When I worked for you, it drove me crazy that you would "bend the rules" for folks who had insuance but had "financial issues", yet you taught me a lesson I never forgot; you humbly served humanity. Your heart was as big as the "hamhock hands" of yours (your expression not mine!) and you used those gifted hands for healing..I am sure the Lord greeted you with the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." You are one for the ages and sorely missed by all who really knew and loved you! Rest in Peace, finally, gentle giant. xo

I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Dr. Cope in person, but I spoke with him on the phone many times and learned to love him and respect him. His kindness, sense of humor and enlightening conversation will always be remembered. It was an absolute pleasure to work with him as an oral and maxillofacial pathologist. My deepest condolences to the Copenhaver family.

Had the pleasure to meet Dr. Cope while serving him as one of his patient care techs before starting medical school. In the short span of time I got to spend with him he inspired me to work hard but make sure I'm enjoying life at the same time. Thank you for the words of advice to navigate through life. I always carry them with me. 
You will be missed dearly Dr. Cope.

COPE, I AM GLAD YOU ARE FINALLY AT PEACE. THOSE LAST FEW MONTHS WERE A REAL STRUGGLE. I TRULY MISS YOUR OPTIMISM, KINDNESS, AND EXPERTISE AS AN ORAL SURGEON SO LONG TO A GOOD FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE. STEVE SUTHERLAND DDS

Cope, You were my first boss way back when in the dental field and gave me a great opportunity to manage your Largo Practice when it first opened. You were a great dad, husband, friend to so many. I enjoyed your smile, each time I was at your home doing billing in the am I witnessed the love there. Today, I am cancer free having beat my battle with Triple Negative Breast Cancer and then find this obituary. God bless your family and let the Lord carry you through the gates of heaven with a new purpose. RIP Cope

So deeply sadden to hear of the loss of Ronald Copenhaver.  Cope, I will always remember the fun times we had working together when you first arrived from Jacksonville and the friendship that followed through the years.  You were a caring and generous individual who touched and helped many. You will be missed greatly.  Rest in peace Cope.

My deepest condolences to the entire Copenhaver family. Dr. Copenhaver will be remembered for his sense of humor and compassion for others .

Christopher and the Copenhaver Family ,
I would just like to thank you Christopher (and the Copenhaver family)for sharing you Dad with our family. He was such a great man who shared and taught my son Ryan so many things. Our family will have many memories that will last forever. THANK YOU DR.COPE. You will be missed. God Bless

Sincerely,

Larry Mackowiak, Ryan and Michael

Christopher and the family of Dr. Copenhaver. I would just like to thank you for the time my family had with your Dad Christopher, also to the family of Dr.Cope. He was a great man with a big heart. He shared so many great things with my son Ryan, things that my son only could be taught by a wonderfull and a great teacher of life. The memories that will never be forgotten. THANK YOU DR.COPE YOU WILL BE MISSED. God Bless.

Sincerely,

Larry Mackowiak, Ryan, and Michael

You will  so be missed you where always a big teddy bear that always had the biggest heart and I thank you for the  years I was able to work with you

Sorry to hear of Ron's passing. My wife Colleen and I fondly remember the dental school days when Ron and Sandy and we lived at Warthin Apts....bowling teammates....watching Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run at Rons apt. April, 1974..... then loading up our rented moving van and moving from Indy to Jax, Fla in June, 1975.... along with Don Darbro, driving to Lake Worth Fla July, 1975 for the Fla state boards....so long ago. My fellow classmate, R.I.P.   Ken and Colleen Volstad

  So sorry to hear of his passing / he was a great guy / a fellow hunting buddy / a caring dentist / he will be missed .......may he rest in peace and may his family find comfort in their memories they shared ....Sincerely, Roy and Nancy Lindow

We were so sorry to hear of your loss.  The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

A kind and caring man who will be greatly missed. Always helping others.

Cope,you will be missed. I learned so much when I worked with you. Thank you for those memories and your sense of humor. Rest in peace.

Our dearest sympathy for the family of Ron Copenhaver. We've known Cope for years and remember all the fun and exciting adventures we experienced together. Going down to the Florida Keys with Cope and the family was always a great time. Cope taught us how to dive for lobsters, spearfish, and has shared his knowledge and secrets with our family. We go to “Cope's Hole” every year in the keys to find lobsters and we will always remember the great times and stories shared there. Cope was always a caring and passionate individual who helped many in his field with his dental expertise. You will be greatly missed as an educator, a colleague, and most of all a friend. Here's to you my friend, until we meet again.

Sincerely,

Dr.  Paul, Terri, Ashley, & David Mevoli

COPE, IT HAS BEEN 4 DAYS NOW AND IS SO HARD TO BELIEVE YOU ARE NO LONGER HERE. I WILL MISS YOU TREMENDOUSLY. I KNOW THAT I HAVE A GUARDIAN ANGEL LOOKING DOWN ON ME. YOU WILL FOREVER LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION!

Dear Ron, Sandy, and your son, Christopher, 
I am having a Mass said for you and your family at my parish church in Chicago, St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church, on January 18th. I will always remember you as a talented and caring oral surgeon. I know you will be missed by many good friends and patients. I can't help but smile when I remember working with you, Carol, Marilyn, Rose, Nadine, Maureen, and Marion at our office on 66th Street. For a while, it was the best of times. But then again, nothing is past. Nothing is lost. One brief moment, and all will be as it was before - only better and happier and forever, Peace big guy.
                                                     Jay McMahon

Dear Ron , Sandy, and your son,
I am having a Mass said for you all at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church, my parish in Chicago, on Saturday, Jan. 18. I will always remember you as a talented and caring oral surgeon. I know you will be missed by many of your good friends and patients, I can't help but smile when I remember working with you, Marilyn, Rose, Carol, Nadine, Maureen, and Marion at our office on 66th Street. For a while, it was the best of times. God Bless.

Thank you RC for all the good times you are my best friend And I will keep our memories for ever. Way to young my friend.

Sincere sympathy to the family of Ron Copenhaver.  We knew Ron while he lived in South Bend, Indiana back "in the day."  Thoughts and prayers to family and friends.  Regards, Gene and Christine Meszaros

I will always remember when I was going to dental assisting school and spent my free time learning from you at your office.  You were an amazing O.S. Also you took amazing care of my both my childent.  You will be missed in our community.

To All - Cope rests in peace awaiting his next biggest exciting adventure with our Creator God who gave him a wonderful world to love and explore and friends to share the wonder of it all. He enjoyed life to the full and experienced both its joy and sorrow with humililty and dignity knowing that God recieves us as we are and loves us eternally because of our faith. John Harrison

Well my dear Ronnie, there is no more pain, no more heartache, just the peace of the next world.  You were my first love, you swept me off my feet. I remember our first kiss, our first dance, our first movie, so many firsts we experienced together.  Thank you for all the wonderful memories and I'll see you on the mountain like we talked about so many years ago.  Love, Sandy

I am sad and broken hearted how things ended for Cope.. In 1989 I started in the dental field with him and I am forever grateful for everything he taught me, as my boss, and more importantly,,, my friend. RIP cope... You will never be forgotten in my heart...

Thank you, Cope for the services you provided the family thru the years.  Off to another journey.  Go in peace.....
Ken & Maureen (Mo)

Cope was amazing...great oral surgeon, great friend, and  man with fantastic adventures. He fully lived all his years with wit and enthusiasm. He will be greatly missed.

Goodbye, Ronnie. You were the best Brother-in-law to me.  I will always remember the wonderful times we had, especially the pool parties.   
"Death Doesn't Put An End To Love".   See you again someday.

Your loving sister-in-law, Janet

Lots of great memories will never be forgotten.  Cope will be in our thoughts and prayers.

This man was an amazingly talented surgeon who was never too busy to help friends, patients, and colleagues. In my years of practice, I leaned on Cope many times for his guidance and he never once failed me. I haven't seen him in many years but I am greatly saddened by this news. You will be missed, my friend. G-d bless you on your new journey

JAN 8TH 2014  
OUR FAMILY FRIENDSHIP GOES FAR BEYOND YOUR DENIST PROFESSION!!--WE MET  ON  A DIVING TRIP IN CLEARWATER (80'S)-WENT TO THE"KEYS" SEVERAL TIMES- WITH OUR FAMILIES AND REMEMBER THE FUN ON  TEXAS HUNTING TRIPS!!! 
YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED BY OUR ENTIRE FAMILY !!
MEL  -,JACKIE - GREG -MELANIE DESHA

I had the pleasure of meeting this wonderful man and oral surgeon a few years ago.  He made such a difference in my life by helping me accomplish my dream of having a pretty smile.  I had to have extractions done and I was beyond scared!!  Dr. Cope, held my hand and said to me, "young lady do you know the meaning of bravery? to be scared to death and doing it anyway".  He held my hand until I feel asleep.  I will never forget what a sincere caring man he was.  To Dr. Cope's family, my deepest condolences on the passing of this wonderful man!  I will forever hold a dear place in my heart for him.  I believe with all my heart and soul that he is at peace and the world was a better place because of him.  Thank you Dr. Cope for everything and I love my smile.  May God Bless your family and friends during this time. With the most respect and admiration.  Valerie Shaw

Dr. Cope was such an amazing man!  While I was a patient of his back in 1986, it was a real pleasure to even go into his office.  He made me feel completely at ease & it was such fun to talk to him about his escapades.  I was always very astonished that he could do such fine surgery with his large hands.   I'm so sorry to hear of his passing!

I will forever remember your kindness and sense of humor.  May peace be with you..

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Copenhaver

Dr. Copenhaver was referred to as "El Gigante" in Guatemala, where I had the pleasure of working with more than 20 years and re-visited later in 2013. Glad to have had the opportunity to spend some quality time. Rest in peace.
Carmen M. Ruiz, RN

I too had the pleasure of working with Cope, he was an excellent teacher and wonderful oral surgeon. His humor and generosity will be greatly missed.  Susie Carbray

Cope, I will miss you but you have now been called upon to do great things in a far more better place. Peace be with you my friend.  Eileen

Cope will be greatly missed. I got to know him better in the last few years. Fly with the Angels Cope

Cope will be missed by the many people he touched with his kindness, generosity and devotion to his patients.  I was honored to call him my friend.

I had the privilege of working for COPE at his Indian Rocks office. I remember Cope showing up with his new scuba mask and wanted to wear it all day and during surgery to break it in. RIP COPE

I had the privilege of working for COPE at his Indian Rocks office. I remember Cope showing up with his new scuba mask and wanted to wear it all day and during surgery to break it in. Hard work and GOOD Times  RIP COPE

Wish I could be there to celebrate your life Cope!  Thanks for showing me what it means to be a good employee and more importantly, what it means to have an employer who cares immensely about his employees.  You will be missed greatly.

Cope you are one of the best friends a person could have. Thank you for over 30 years of wonderful memories, all the hunting, fishing , scuba diving, trips to the keys. Buddy we did it all , You will be greatly missed.

RIP Cope you will be missed. I will always remember the crazy days at bay center....

OBITUARY

Dr. Ronald Cope Harold Copenhaver

December 21, 1946 – January 5, 2014

Serenity Funeral Home

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