Jackie (Jack) Lee Copeland, Colonel, USAF-Retired, of the Black Hills region of S.D., died on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 in his daughter Vicki's hometown of Billings, Mont.

Jack was born in his family home on June 26, 1942 in Tappan, Ohio. He was the only son and youngest child of James and Mary Baker Copeland. Jack had 3 older sisters, Dorothy Annabelle,Betty Jane, and Norma Jean. Jack graduated from Conotton Valley High School in 1960 where he was the class president and a starter on the Conotton Valley Basketball team. He attended Ohio University where joined the ROTC and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government Studies.

After college he became a commissioned officer in the US Air Force, completing his first assignment at Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Mont. It is during this time that he met his wife of 55 years, Kathleen (Kathy) Marie Taylor; they married on May 7, 1966. Jack and Kathy had two children, Victoria Marie, born in Great Falls, Mont., and James Taylor, born in Papillion, Neb.

Jack had a long and storied career as an officer in the United States Air Force, which began on Sept. 17, 1964 as a Lieutenant. He specialized in ICBM Missile Maintenance, having worked on Atlas, Minuteman, and MX missiles, and was instrumental in retiring the Atlas and Minuteman missiles from service. He traveled the United States with his family, which included time stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base where he earned a Master of Science degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas. Jack's successful military career spanned 28 years, culminating in the rank of Colonel.

In addition to a successful military & professional career, Jack was influential to many, serving as an informal career mentor for many colleagues, friends, and family throughout his life. Even after his retirement, Jack continued to serve his country and support his community by joining the Spearfish Veterans Honor Guard. Jack's former Honor Guard post will attend his memorial service to conduct military honors.

Jack loved being outdoors. He would sit on a riding mower or tractor all day with a smile on his face. His passion was fishing. He had a passion for learning new things. He studied American history, he played golf, he taught himself wood carving, and he studied electronics. He even built his own color TV from a Zenith TV kit in the early 1970s, and he taught himself how to use home computers when they first came on the market. Saturdays were for watching Husker football. He loved to tell a good joke - the dirtier the better! His cat, Bert, was his favorite recliner nap buddy.

Jack was survived by his wife, Kathy Copeland of Billings, Mont., his sister, Norma Carroll of Marietta, Ga., his daughter, Victoria (Kevin) of Billings, Mont., his son, James (Sarah) of Victor, Idaho, and two step-grandchildren, Michael and Jessica. Jack is also survived by many nieces and nephews but will be especially missed by his close friend and nephew, James Jinks (Rosemary) of Canton, Ohio.

Jack was one of a kind. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten by his family, friends, and people that worked with and knew him throughout his remarkable life. He would not want us to be sad about his passing – if he were here, he would tell us to go out and have a cocktail in his honor.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 10 o'clock in the morning at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City, S.D.

A burial service will follow at 12 noon at the Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors rendered by the Spearfish Honor Guard and the Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard. All are welcome.