Raymond Copeland

Raymond (Ray) Everett Copeland, aged 70, passed away July 30, 2025. He was a loving husband to his wife of 44 years Anne and a caring father to their two daughters, Amy and Caye. Born in Oklahoma City on February 25, 1955, he was adopted by his maternal grandparents and spent his younger years in Kingfisher, OK then later moved to Oklahoma City. Working at Beverly’s Pancake House to afford the tuition, he put himself through Heritage Hall Upper School for two years. There he became a very successful wrestler. He graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1973. He continued his love for wrestling as a walk-on at Oklahoma State University, where he also joined the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1979 and served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and Army Reserves. Upon graduation from OSU, he worked as an OK state police officer at OSU and was made the youngest detective in the state. In 1994 Ray, Anne and their daughters ‘came home’ and joined the Catholic Church. Ray lived a life filled with faith, love, family and friends.

Ray was a gifted and beloved educator at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, where he spent his entire teaching career from 1988 to 2019. In addition to teaching, he coached wrestling, football and girls’ softball. His athletes were always astounded at his mastery of the one-armed pushup. He was a fierce patriot and defender of the innocent, voluntarily deploying during Operation Desert Storm. On June 4, 2019, Ray was blessed to receive a heart transplant. This extra gift of six years of life allowed him to see Amy’s success, Caye’s wedding, and the birth of her three sons. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach and mentor. He will be greatly missed by the many, many people whose lives he touched.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Zelma Copeland; brothers Donald and Vernon; sisters Doris Hayes and Betty Applegate. He is survived by his wife Anne Haller Copeland; daughter Amy Copeland and her sons Gage and Jacob; daughter Caye Finnell, her husband Garrett and their sons John, Joseph and Giorgio; and his half-sister Thelma Smith.

An evening prayer service will held Wednesday, August 13th at 6:00 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (1901 NW 18th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106). The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 14 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.