John Gardner Copeland Sr

View Funeral WwebcastJohn Gardner Copeland, Sr., 63, retired City of Columbia fire fighter, died Thursday, September 24, 2009 at his residence on Tower Drive. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 2:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Rev. Hubert Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with honors provided by the Columbia Fire Department Honor Guard. The family will visit with friends after 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. The Overton County native was the son of the late John Hyder Copeland and Margaret Elizabeth Gardner Copeland. He was a 1965 graduate of Columbia Central High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Almeda College. He was a fire fighter and engine driver for the Columbia Fire Department for 23 years prior to his retirement in 2007. He was a member of the National Association of Fire Fighters, Fire Fighters Union, and St. Luke United Methodist Church. He married the former Karen Freeman December 22, 1967. She preceded him in death February 4, 2004. Survivors include his children, John G. Copeland, Jr. of Spring Hill and Alicia (Richie) Hickman of Culleoka; grandchildren, Blake Hickman, Madison Hickman, and Kara Hickman, all of Culleoka; brother, William (Barbara) Copeland of Cincinati, Ohio; several nieces and nephews. Active pallbearers are David Upchurch, Randall Hickman, Rod Ashmore, Marty Kindred, Derek Estes, Glen Nix, David Derryberry, and Dwight Fautt. Members of the Columbia Fire Department will serve as honorary pallbearers.