James Coleman Copeland, age 70, departed peacefully Saturday, November 23, 2024 in Mobile, Alabama. He came into this world on September 16, 1954 in the state of Virginia.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents James Copeland and Emmadale Copeland, his brother David Copeland and his beloved uncles who were like brothers to him: Gene and Jackie Copeland.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Jessica Copeland; daughters Jeannie Copeland of Grand Bay, Kathy Howley of Tampa, FL and Renae Ward of Pensacola, FL; sons Robert Nodine of Glendale, CO and David Mallard of Mobile; grandsons Jarrod Wilson and Drake Mallard of Mobile; sister Rosemary Mawhorr of St. Simons Island, GA; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim graduated from Clarke County High School in Grove Hill, AL but spent most of his formative years in Mobile. He joined the Army after high school and honorably served for 20 years, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW4) in the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) in 1989. During his Army career, he was stationed in Germany twice, including U.S. Army garrisons out of Schweinfurt, Gelnhausen and Hanau, as well as multiple bases in the USA such as Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas, Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Arizona, Fort Sam in San Antonio, Texas and Homestead AFB in Miami, Florida. While raising a family, as a soldier, Jim made time for studies and managed to eventually earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at the University of Central Texas. After being honorably discharged from the military, Jim continued his service in law enforcement as a civilian with the United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) out of Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, Florida. Later, he was deputized as a federal agent with the U.S. Marshals Service in Miami, FL where he enjoyed a distinguished career, finally retiring in the Mobile, Alabama field office in 2011. Jim's notable years of service to the military and federal government also include work on a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) anti-terrorist task force, as well as providing protective security detail for former Secretary of Defense, Dick Cheney, and the federal judge involved with the 1993 terrorist bombing attack of the World Trade Center in NYC.
Jim loved Mexican restaurants, playing his guitar and karaoke. He idolized Elvis and loved to watch old Westerns and TV shows with people he cared about. He enjoyed biscuits for breakfast and cookies & milk before bed. He loved the Arizona desert and lived in the town of Tombstone for a while, long before the namesake movie. Before they passed, Jim would ride his Harley up to Starbucks to drink coffee with his beloved uncles, Gene & Jackie. He missed his mama. He adored taking care of his young grandson, Drake. We thank Jim for his service. He will be missed.
The family will receive friends for visitation at 11:00 am at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home located at 6040 Three Notch Road, Mobile, AL. The service will begin at 12 noon followed by interment at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
September 16, 1954 — November 23, 2024
Interment will take place in Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery 6100 Three Notch Rd. Mobile, AL 36619
