James T. Copeland

James Thomas "Buddy" Copeland age 86 of Arkadelphia died Tuesday June 8, 2010. He was born June 27, 1923 in Gurdon, Ark., to Henry Ross and Vondale Copeland. Buddy was a World War II veteran, a longtime employee of Clark County Lumber Company and retired from Reynolds Metal Company Patterson Plant. He volunteered for the Southwest Arkansas Food Bank for 20 years, giving unselfishly of his time. He was a member of First United Methodist Church since 1949, serving on numerous committees and as an usher for many years. Buddy volunteered with Special Olympics, served on the Red Cross Board of Directors and was a member of Kiwanis Club for 40 years. Buddy was awarded the prestigious "H" award in 2000 by Henderson State University for his service to the athletic department as a member of the football chain gang. He also carried the chains for Ouachita Baptist University and Arkadelphia High School during the same time period. His parents, one brother, Bob Copeland and one sister, Margaret Honea preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Mary Frances Fite Copeland; two sons, Tom (Mary Carol) Copeland of Sherwood, AR; Jim (Susan) Copeland of Albuquerque, New Mexico; one daughter, Margaret Ashcraft of Arkadelphia, Ark.; one sister, Mary Copeland of Hope, Ark.; two nephews, Ross and John Honea both of Little Rock, Ark.; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 12, 2010 at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Carroll Jackson and Rev. Daniel Kirkpatrick officiating. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Arkadelphia First United Methodist Church. Online guest register is available at www.ruggleswilcox.com.