- K
***Wayne's life insurance had lapsed shortly before his death and our family is now facing some unexpected expenses in order to cover medical bills and relocate Mom to DFW as quickly and smoothly as possible so she can be near family. If you would like to help in a tangible way, please consider donating.***
Either way, we are so thankful for your presence in our lives and for all the love and support.
Obituary:
Wayne Ernest Copeland, Jr., loving husband, father, grandfather, and tireless dreamer passed away at the age of 75 on July 1, 2020. Wayne was born on July 15, 1944 in Marfa, TX and grew up in Lindsay, OK and Oklahoma City. Wayne attended the University of Oklahoma, where his infectious smile earned him the nickname “Smiley” amongst his Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers. Wayne began his enterprising career by raising money to restore the legendary front doors on the Beta house. He then went on to open Legend's restaurant on Lindsey St. in 1968 and continued entrepreneurial work over the following five decades in several industries including oil and gas, radiography equipment, restaurants, real estate, and land development. He also served in the Air Force as a General’s Aide at Tinker AFB in the early 1970s, and was a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation.
Wayne is survived by his wife of fifty years, Karen, whom he called "Zoom", his son, John "Catfish" (married to Kathleen), his daughter Lindsay "Linz-a-Linz" (married to Tim), and five grandchildren Claire (8), Josh (6), Blakely (4), Abigail (2) and Cooper (1). Wayne was adored by his grandkids, who knew him as "Dubba" and always looked forward to his magic tricks, gadgets, and tremendous hugs.
Wayne had boundless curiosity and a youth-like eagerness to learn about the world around him. He was particularly keen on technology and design, but his true passion lay in bettering the future. This was best exemplified by his involvement in FIRST Robotics which, in his estimation combined our two best hopes for a brighter future, the ingenuity of youth and the advances made possible through technology.
Wayne's other passions included education (he was rarely seen without a book) and photography (he was NEVER seen without a camera). If he knew you, which he probably did, he took many pictures of you, had memorized several facts about you, and had assigned you a special nickname which he always used when he spoke with you. He was indeed a renaissance man, but his greatest skill was connecting people. He loved meeting new people, talking with old friends, and uniting acquaintances. To Wayne, the world, and all of those filling it, were one astounding and lovely web of potential.
He believed in hard work, courage, perseverance, and above all else, he loved us well.
Either way, we are so thankful for your presence in our lives and for all the love and support.
Obituary:
Wayne Ernest Copeland, Jr., loving husband, father, grandfather, and tireless dreamer passed away at the age of 75 on July 1, 2020. Wayne was born on July 15, 1944 in Marfa, TX and grew up in Lindsay, OK and Oklahoma City. Wayne attended the University of Oklahoma, where his infectious smile earned him the nickname “Smiley” amongst his Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers. Wayne began his enterprising career by raising money to restore the legendary front doors on the Beta house. He then went on to open Legend's restaurant on Lindsey St. in 1968 and continued entrepreneurial work over the following five decades in several industries including oil and gas, radiography equipment, restaurants, real estate, and land development. He also served in the Air Force as a General’s Aide at Tinker AFB in the early 1970s, and was a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation.
Wayne is survived by his wife of fifty years, Karen, whom he called "Zoom", his son, John "Catfish" (married to Kathleen), his daughter Lindsay "Linz-a-Linz" (married to Tim), and five grandchildren Claire (8), Josh (6), Blakely (4), Abigail (2) and Cooper (1). Wayne was adored by his grandkids, who knew him as "Dubba" and always looked forward to his magic tricks, gadgets, and tremendous hugs.
Wayne had boundless curiosity and a youth-like eagerness to learn about the world around him. He was particularly keen on technology and design, but his true passion lay in bettering the future. This was best exemplified by his involvement in FIRST Robotics which, in his estimation combined our two best hopes for a brighter future, the ingenuity of youth and the advances made possible through technology.
Wayne's other passions included education (he was rarely seen without a book) and photography (he was NEVER seen without a camera). If he knew you, which he probably did, he took many pictures of you, had memorized several facts about you, and had assigned you a special nickname which he always used when he spoke with you. He was indeed a renaissance man, but his greatest skill was connecting people. He loved meeting new people, talking with old friends, and uniting acquaintances. To Wayne, the world, and all of those filling it, were one astounding and lovely web of potential.
He believed in hard work, courage, perseverance, and above all else, he loved us well.