James "Jimmy" Keith Copeland, 76, of Elwood, Missouri, passed away on April 4, 2023. Jimmy was born on February 24, 1947 to Francis and Bessie Copeland in Lockwood, Missouri.

After Jimmy graduated from Ash Grove High School in 1965, he joined the United States Air Force serving from 1965–1969. After the Air Force, he worked for Frisco/Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway for over 35 years, retiring in 2007.

In 1985, Jimmy married Nancy and they were married for 36 years. They loved to travel together. In addition to taking many cruises, they were able to travel to China, Alaska, Germany, England, Ireland, Greece, Turkey, France, Italy, and Spain.

He was very proud that as a small town Ash Grove boy he had seen so much of the world.

Jimmy loved Harley-Davidson motorcycles and in 1997 his dream of owning his own came true. He always had an ongoing project: building, creating, or fixing something. He could fix almost anything, and would tell us that if he couldn't fix it, he would break it beyond repair while trying. He loved being outside tinkering in his garage, gardening, or beautifully landscaping his yard. To his grandkids, he was affectionately known as  "Poppy Copeland." He enjoyed spending time with them and attending their band performances and sporting events.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Bessie, and his beloved nephew Bradley Raper. He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Nichole (Danny) Espinoza, stepson Bobby Tate, sisters Karen White and Beverly (Johnny) Cox, and grandchildren Isaac Espinoza, Amalia Espinoza, and Micah Espinoza, along with many other family and friends.

Memorial services will be held at Bois D'Arc United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 10:00AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bois D'Arc United Methodist Church in his memory.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield, MO.