Mr. Gary Conrad Copeland, age 77 of Sparta, passed away Thursday, June 13, 2024 in the Emergency Room of St. Thomas Highlands Hospital.

Gary Conrad Copeland was born April 12, 1947, to Bailey Larimore and Daisy Frances Milligan Copeland in Yankeetown, TN. He graduated from White County High School. While at WCHS, he was a member of the 1964 Jaycee Bowl football championship team, playing left tackle. He enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War. While in the Army, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Overseas Service Bar. After the military, Gary was a member of the Sparta/White County Rescue Squad and worked as a tool and die maker at Mallory Timers, retiring at its closure. He was also a member of the Cherry Creek Church of Christ.

Gary married Wilma Simmons, and together they raised two daughters, Dana and Kristy. He was a devoted father who encouraged his daughters to pursue higher education, always supporting their endeavors.

Gary was known for his love of the outdoors, and he could be found either in the woods hunting deer or turkey or on the water fishing for bass, walleye, or anything else that would bite on his line.

After retiring, he planted gardens, raised cows, and tended bees, leaving a memorable impression on his neighbors with his spirited conversations with anything in the fields. He was straightforward and honest, never shy to speak his mind, and everyone knew where they stood with him. He cherished his grandchildren, who affectionately knew him as Pa Copeland.

He is survived by his wife, Wilma, daughters and sons-in-law, Dana and Michael II Baker and Kristy and Christopher Wilson, grandchildren, Alexis Hatmaker, Michael Baker III, Kaden Hatmaker, Gunnar Baker, and Ryker Baker, and brother Keith Copeland. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved and they loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Lynn and Glynn Copeland and niece Gail Copeland.

Visitation will be Monday, June 17, from 4-8 p.m. at Hunter Funeral Home. The service will be Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Hunter Funeral Home, followed by burial at Copeland's Chapel Cemetery with full military honors by the Veterans' Honor Guard. Pallbearers will include his grandsons, nephews Brent and Terry Copeland, grand-son-in-law Dawson Frey and sons-in law Michael Baker and Christopher Wilson. Carl Sims will officiate

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Cherry Creek Church of Christ and the White County High School Fishing Club in memory of Gary in care of Hunter Funeral Home, PO Box 90, Sparta, TN 38583