Richard Copes of Alger, formerly of Clarkston, passed away April 12, 2021 at age 78. He was in Arizona, his winter home, with his loving wife, Kathy Anne, at his side. Dick leaves behind his three children, Kevin (Dana) Copes, Brett Copes and Amanda Bailey, a step-son, Matthew (Katherine) Larson and three grandchildren: Trinity Copes, Logan and London Larson. Immediately after graduation from High School, he entered the Air Force where he became a jet engine mechanic working on B52 airplanes. He was owner of Clarkston Plumbing for 15 years and retired from Plumbers Local 98 in 2001 when he became the Plumbing Inspector for Lake Orion and Auburn Hills until 2006. After retirement, Dick and Kathy traveled the country with their 5 th wheel RV before settling north of Phoenix for the winters. There they spent days hiking and jeeping in the Arizona Mountains with their many American and Canadian friends.They loved to travel and visited family in Italy, rafted the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and took a river cruise on the Danube through five European countries.
Dick always felt that the other people in his life were more important than he was. He wants to thank everyone he has ever met for adding to his life by giving him enjoyment, fun, humor, and friendship. He hopes that he was as good a friend to them as they all were to him.
Richard John Copes: a man well-loved, a life well-lived!!
Burial will be on June 9, 2021 at the Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly MI followed by a luncheon for invited guests.
Donations can be made to:
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org or to Hospice of the Valley, Team M1, 1510 E. Flower St, Phoenix AZ 85014 (or hov.org )