Obituary of Thomas Henry "Tom" COPELAND

April 1, 1943 – Winnipeg, Manitoba

October 3, 2019 – Calgary, Alberta

Tom Copeland, beloved husband and father, left us to be with his Lord and Saviour on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at the age of 76 years.

Tom was born in Winnipeg, MB on April 1, 1943. He was the oldest son of four boys and was often referred to as "good old Tom" by his parents. He was raised in a loving home where the core values of family and service to others were deeply instilled by his parents and immediate family.

After high school, Tom had several jobs before being hired at Lowney’s Chocolates and later transferred to Calgary in 1965. He was the warehouse manager for several years when in January 1970, a new salesperson arrived in Calgary. Vic Rogers transferred to Calgary from Regina and his daughter Joan came with him. Tom and Joan met on January 2, 1970 and the rest was history as they were soon engaged and married in 1970.

After leaving Lowney’s, Tom was hired by Calgary Transit and thus began his career as first a bus driver and then C-Train operator. For two years he was also in the Transportation Department as a Training Officer. During his thirty-one years as a driver, he was awarded his Final Safe Driving Certificate of thirty-one years. He retired in 2004 after thirty-three and a third years with Transit. (He called this his long play.)

Throughout his life, Tom was dedicated to his church and church family. He faithfully attended church and Bible studies, and over many years served as Usher, Elder, Sunday School Superintendent, and Scout Master. In Calgary he attended and was a member of Grace, Prince of Peace, and Foothills Lutheran.

Tom loved to tease and joke with close church friends and they would often remark "Watch out! Here comes Trouble!"

Tom and Joan were also honoured to be a part of Lutheran Marriage Encounter for eighteen years. Over those eighteen years, they grew to know and love many couples from all over North America as well as many international couples. They also travelled all over North America as servants of the Lord and grew in faith through bringing others to Christ.

Tom was also an avid hiker. In the early 1970’s he was introduced to hiking by very close friends. The first hike he ever did was seven miles each way. He was totally exhausted but also completely hooked as he loved nature. He also loved photography and thus was able to combine two passions as he took pictures no matter where he went.

He hiked all over Kananaskis, Banff, and British Columbia in our beloved Rocky Mountains. He was also blessed to be close to the Superstition Mountain in Arizona. With close friends he hiked almost year-round between our home in Alberta and in Arizona. He was also very proud of the fact that he hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in 2013 and 2014.

He will be most remembered for his love of Christ, family, and nature.

"Together we are God’s children, one family in Christ"

Besides his loving wife Joan, Tom is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Kevin Loewen; his son David; and his grandchildren, Douglas, Rebecca, and Matthew Loewen. He is also survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Rena, Don and Jan, and Ron and Brenda; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Tom was predeceased and is now reunited in Heaven with his parents Jack and Jen Copeland and niece Carly as well as very close friends, Doug Hughesman and John Brittick.

Funeral Services will be held at Foothills Lutheran Church (3104 34 Avenue NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow at the church. A Family Graveside Service will be held. Condolences may be forwarded through www.McInnisandHolloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to Foothills Lutheran Church, 3104 34 Avenue NW, Calgary, AB T2L 2A3 Telephone: 403-284-1342, www.foothillslutheran.ca or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

A tree will be planted in living memory of Tom Copeland. McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.