Mr. Don Edward Cope, age 81 of Sparta, passed away at 17:35 Monday, February 28, 2022 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

Don was born March 4, 1940 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late James Edward and Essie Mae Wilson Cope. He served in the United States Air Force as a physician's assistant and earned the rank of Captain. He garnered numerous service awards and campaign ribbons during his 23year military career. Don was a lifelong antique car enthusiast, often meticulously taking them apart and putting back together the way they rolled off the assembly line. He was a member of Sparta First Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his grandparents, John & Iva Wilson, Winfield & Dolly Cope.

Surviving family members include his wife of 61 years Mary Katherine "Kathy" Golden Cope of Sparta

Two sons: James E. "Jim" Cope of Cookeville, Gary L. (Karen) Cope of Chandler, AZ

Grandchildren: Sean Cope and Crystal (Ben) Pettit

Great-grandson: Austin Hart

Funeral services will be conducted 3:00pm Saturday, March 5, 2022 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors by the Veterans' Honor Guard will follow in Plainview Cemetery in the Cassville community. The flag that will drape Don's casket will be the same 48 Star flag that draped his father's casket in 1946. The family will receive friends after 1:00pm Saturday at Hunter Funeral Home.

Brad Walker will officiate. Steven Young, Ryan Selby, Noah Young, Ben Pettit, Gary Cope, Jim Cope, Austin Hart and Sean Cope will serve as pallbearers.