H. Floyd Copeland

H. Floyd Copeland

H. Floyd Copeland of Lake Kiowa, TX passed away January 19, 2010 at the age of 87. He was born August 27, 1922, to Sena Kemp Copeland and J.D. Copeland in Del Valle (Travis County), TX and was reared in Austin where his family moved when he was three years old. He graduated from Austin High School in 1940 and enrolled at Texas A & M University later that year, as a member of the glass of 1944. His studies were interrupted by World War II, and he served his country in the U.S. Army for over three years including a tour of duty in Japan. Achieving the rank of Captain, he was honorably discharged in 1946, and he returned to Texas A & M to complete his degree in Petroleum Engineering. In 1949 he married Mary Jean Webb in a ceremony in her hometown of Dimmitt, TX.

In January 1948 he began a 32 - year career with Standard of Texas Oil (now Chevron), and he worked in a number of locations that included two stints in Gainesville from 1949 - 1951 and 1960 - 1964. In 1980 he retired from Chevron and went to work in the Trust Energy Department for First National Bank of Dallas. During their time in Dallas, he and his wife Mary Jean built a home at Lake Kiowa which they lived in on weekends until 1983 when he retired from the bank and they became full time residents of Lake Kiowa.

Floyd was a long time, active member of Whaley Methodist Church where he had served on several committees and as president of his Sunday School class. He also participated in several gin rummy and bridge groups, the Lake Kiowa Men's Golf Association, and the ROMEOS. He delivered Meals on Wheels for seventeen years. He and his wife were active in many Lake Kiowa activities activities and he served for four years as a Director of the Lake Kiowa Water Board. He was a Master Mason affiliated with Lodge 210.

He was a true gentleman who valued his family and friends and who loved being surrounded by them. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Mary Jean, his parents, two sisters, and a brother. He is survived by a daughter, Jana Copeland Whealdon and husband Ed of Carrollton, TX, a son Kemp Allan Copeland and wife Janet of Baku, Azerbaijan, four grand children (Jennifer Whealdon Gamble and her husband Dallas, Whitney Whealdon, Leslie Whealdon, and Katya Copeland). He also leaves a special niece, Judy Boehnke Galloway, and her family of Waxahachie, TX, along with his caregiver of three years, Linda Shaw.

A celebration of his life will be held at Whaley Methodist church at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2010 with the Rev. Jim Goodwin officiating. Suggested memorial gifts are the Building Fund of Whaley UMB or the Smile Train organization. No visitation is planned. You may sign the on line registry at www.geojcarroll.com.