James Copeland

Funeral Service at Walters Church of the Nazarene, Walters, OK on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., Pastors Paul Metcalfe and Kacy Lee officiating with burial in the Walters Cemetery under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters.

James Phil Copeland was born to Jesse Glendel and Betty Ann (Price) Copeland on October 9, 1956 in Lawton, OK and departed this life in Walters, OK on October 8, 2023 at the age of 66 years, 11 months and 29 days.

James grew up at Walters, graduating from Walters High in 1975. He married Deborah Sue Hutchenson on April 10, 1979 in Decatur, TX. They made their home in OKC for a time before moving to Cache, OK where they raised their daughter, Amy and son, Jesse. 

James was big rig driver for many years and toward the end of his career he taught truck driving for the American Truck Driving School at Lawton, finally retiring from trucking in 2014. In 2003 he had moved back to Walters to be near his dad and from then to the present has enjoyed cattle ranching.  

He enjoyed playing poker, playing 2 years in the World Series of Poker. He was known in the poker world as “Jesse James.” He loved spending time with his grandkids and attending their sport events. He also played the guitar and enjoyed picking with a grandson. He enjoyed travel and dancing with Leslie. He was a Christian and a member of Walters Church of the Nazarene. On birthdays he would call his kids and grandkids and play Happy Birthday on his harmonica. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Glendel and Betty; a brother, Billy Copeland; and an infant sister, Drucilla.

Survivors include 2 children, Amy Winfree and John of Walters, OK, Jesse Copeland and Chassie of Chickasha, OK; his brother Larry Copeland and Kathy of Oklahoma City; 5 grandchildren, Kade, Gaven, Trista, Saulyer, and Troy John James; a special friend, Leslie Irvin of Walters; other relatives and friends.