Donald Byron Copeland

Donald Byron Copeland, aged 83, of Pampa, Texas, passed away on June 24, 2022, at his home with his family and close friends by his side after a long illness.

Celebration of life funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at the First Baptist Church of Pampa with Pastor Johnny Plum, a family friend, officiating. Burial will follow at the Shamrock Cemetery in Shamrock, TX. Burial and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory. Don’s service will be livestreamed through the funeral home’s website.

Don will be available for public viewing starting at 1:00 PM, Monday, June 27, 2022, and the family will receive friends from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at the funeral home.

Don was born on November 7th, 1938, to LB Copeland and Ada (Shipman) Copeland at home in the Bethel community, east of Shamrock. Don started work young as an oil-field hand with his father and graduated from Shamrock High School in 1957.

Don and Marilyn Turnbow grew up together in Shamrock and later married on July 31st, 1958. Don and Marilyn went on to have 3 children, Randy, Suzie, and Ed.

As a young man, he worked several different jobs before entering his life-long calling of law enforcement, a passion and career that spanned 53 years. Don began his law enforcement profession with the City of Shamrock Police Department; his tenure continued with the Wheeler County Sheriff’s office and the Pampa Police Department. After serving those different counties and municipalities, Don was accepted into the Texas Department of Public Safety Academy in 1968 and served until his retirement from the DPS in 1996.

His retirement didn’t last long and his passion for serving the public wasn’t quite over. Don went to work for the Lipscomb County Sheriff’s office for a brief period before Don ran for Gray County Sheriff in 1997 and he fulfilled that duty for 20 years, retiring in 2016.

After retirement in 2016, Don’s favorite past-times were spending time with his family, woodworking, and watching westerns.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, LB and Ada Copeland; his siblings, Carrol Copeland (his brother, a Wheeler County Sheriff’s Deputy, who was killed in the line of duty), Nancy (Copeland) Wright, and a grandson, Tristan Copeland.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn of 63 years of the home, his children, Randy Copeland and wife Nelda of Pampa, Suzann Poulin and husband Darrin of Thunder Bay, Ontario, and Ed Copeland and wife Amanda of Pampa; 10 grandchildren, Tyrel (Carrie) Copeland, Micah (Amanda) Shaull, Farren (Je’ron) Curtis, Sarah (Eddy) Stegall, Colby (Demi) Copeland, Katie (Alec) Carson, Cody (Taylor) Copeland, Haley (Brandon) Casey, Blake (Candice) Shaull, and Lane Copeland; 12 great-grandchildren, Trace and Cade Copeland, Layla and Cam Shaull, Braylen and Amree Curtis, Liam and Emerson Fisher, Kamden and Kelbi Copeland, Isaac and Asher Carson; one great-grandchild on the way; and an honorary son Dr. Issam (Lima) Oneyssi of Sturbridge, Massachusetts and their children, Lea and Judy; five siblings, LInda Garris (Wayne), Grant Copeland (Sandy), Johnny Copeland (Teresa), Pat Jones, and Steve Copeland; and a host of additional family and friends.

Don took immense pride in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Memorials can be made to The 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle at www.texaspanhandle100club.org an organization that’s mission is to provide assistance to the families of certified peace officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty while protecting our lives and property.