J.D. Copeland, 83

J.D. Copeland, 83, passed away late Sunday afternoon, July 18, 2004, after a long battle with cancer. He was airlifted from California to Huckleberry Retirement in Sandpoint to be with his family for his remaining days.

Private family services have been held.

J.D. was born Jan. 31, 1921, in Mt. Ida, Ark.

J.D. and his wife lived in Mineral, Calif., after his retirement as a chief petty officer from the U.S. Navy, where he served for 20 years. He then went to work for the U.S. Forest Service fighting fires and running the airstrip in Mineral, Calif., dispatching the borate bombers until he retired permanently in the late 1980s. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and an active member of the American Legion.

He will be remembered as a sportsman and a proud man who served his country well. His family will always love him and he will never be forgotten.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Agnes Copeland of Sandpoint; a daughter, Wanda Franquero of Sandpoint; a daughter-in-law, Elaine Franquero of Richland, Wash.; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Franquero; his parents and four siblings.

Final arrangements were under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.