Jeffrey Lee Cope was born June 9, 1956, in Abilene, TX, to Don and Marcia (Mitts) Cope. He entered into rest on February 17, 2020, after a sudden heart attack at his home in Lockwood, MO at the age of 63. He spent the majority of his childhood in Neosho, MO, but graduated high school in Bisbee, AZ, in 1974. After attending the University of Arizona-Tucson, he moved back to Neosho and completed his degree at Crowder College. In the summer of 1976, Jeff married Barbie Moss in her parents’ home, and she survives.
He and his uncle, Ralph Cope, co-owned Towne and Country Carpet on the Neosho square. Jeff volunteered as a Newton County Reserve Deputy for seven years and then joined the Neosho Volunteer Fire Department in 1983. His first daughter, Arin Ogden, was born that year. In 1985, daughter Kaci Jones was born and he began his career with the US Postal Service. He worked as a Rural Sub, City Carrier, and Supervisor in Neosho before becoming the Postmaster in Lockwood, MO in 1996. He retired from that position in April of 2015.
While living in Neosho, he served as a deacon at the Rocketdyne Road Church of Christ and was involved in 4-H and the Neosho Chamber of Commerce. Upon moving to Lockwood, he was an active member of the Lockwood Fire Department, Chamber of Commerce, Dade County Community Betterment Committee, and he coached his daughter’s basketball team. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and rockhound. He loved the mountains, camping, four-wheeling, and spending time with his grandsons.
In addition to his wife Barbie, he is survived by two children Arin Ogden, husband Riley, and sons Cooper and Jackson of Lockwood, MO and Kaci Jones, husband Alan, and expected baby, of Springfield, MO; his mother Marcia Cope of Neosho, MO; sisters Sandy Black, husband Brent of Wolverine Lake, MI; and son Charley Black and Amanda and son Oliver of PA; and son Jordan Black of MI, Pam Cope of Neosho, MO, and son Tyrel Wilson, wife Tonya, and children Tyler, Jasek, and Kinsey of KS; sisters-in-law Brenda Piliouras, husband George of Rochester, MI; and family Lauren Keller and husband Alex of WA, Ashley Hamilton of TN, Drew Hamilton of IL, Jessie Schrauger and husband Stephen of FL, and Kelly Piliouras of CA; Bobbi, husband Matt of Neosho, MO and daughter Rene Pitts of CA; aunts and uncles Ralph Cope and wife Lia of Neosho, MO, Anne Cope of Neosho, MO, Glenn and wife Barbara of Tonkawa, OK; and host of cousins
He was preceded in death by his father, Don, and parents-in-law, Bob and Jody Moss, and immediate family members nephew, Travis Wilson, and uncle Kenneth Cope.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 21, 2020 at Lockwood Family Life Center, 5th and Locust, behind the Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Family Life Center.
Contributions are suggested and made payable to Arcola Christian Church Library Fund in care of Daniel Funeral Home.
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