(From Parker Mortuary)
TERRY COPPLE
On Sunday, January 3, 2021 Terry Roy Copple and wife of 29 years, Rhonda Lynn Bower Copple were killed when the vehicle they were driving was struck by a drunk driver. Rhonda (48) was killed instantly and Terry died shortly thereafter at the hospital. He was 55 years old.Terry is survived by his mother Vicky Copple; his father Roy Copple (DJ); his son, Miles Copple (Jordyn); and daughters Page Miner (Brycen); and Gabby Roberts (Jaxon); grandchildren Myloh Copple, Maisyn Copple, Murphy Copple, Kaiden Miner, Emma (Reese) Miner, Holly Miner, Hayden Roberts and Kora Roberts; sister Angela Copple; adopted family Melissa Boland; mother-in-law Betty Bower; his sister-in-laws and their spouses Brenda Bower, Leisha Bower Pickering, Angie Bower Houghton, Laura Bower, Barbara Bower-Killen and Reva Bower Sheppard; step-sister Tanya Croney Moffit; step-nephews Jesse Croney and Michael Croney and step-niece Makiyla Croney.
Terry was born on November 27, 1965 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Vicky Lynn Wiley Copple and Roy Clyde Copple. When Terry was 3, he had two imaginary friends named Itty and Bitty who magically disappeared when his sister, Angela was born while they lived in Salt Lake City, Utah. Terry was thrilled to have a baby sister.
He would often take the blame when his sister was in trouble saying, “She was in time out so much I felt bad for her.” He would even eat the peas on her plate so she could leave the dinner table to go play with him.
Terry’s love of the outdoors came from growing up in Black Forest, Colorado where he attended Mountain View Elementary School and the Air Academy High School. Camping, fishing and hiking were common activities throughout his childhood along with riding bikes, playing capture the flag, street hockey, reading and playing his guitar.
After his parents' divorce, Terry, Angela and Vicky moved to Carl Junction, MO in 1982 to be closer to family.
Terry has always had a happy easygoing nature and liked to take time to smell the roses along the way. He aptly named his first dog (a basset hound), Rosie. After that, Terry was a dog dad to multiple shelter dogs selected because they were the least likely to be adopted.
When Terry received a cash gift from his grandparents (Clyde and Juanita Copple) he immediately went out and spent it on a fun weekend. When his mom asked what he had to show for it, he looked right at her and said, “The smile on my face.”
Terry won the 125 lb weight class at the state wrestling championship and graduated from Carl Junction High School in 1984. He began working with his uncle, Jerry Corum of Corum Drywall and eventually took over the family business. He was quite simply the best at his craft because he cared about people and quality. He liked working for himself so he had his free time to devote to his family.
Terry’s love of the outdoors came from growing up in Black Forest, Colorado where he attended Mountain View Elementary School and the Air Academy High School. Camping, fishing and hiking were common activities throughout his childhood along with riding bikes, playing capture the flag, street hockey, reading and playing his guitar.
After his parents' divorce, Terry, Angela and Vicky moved to Carl Junction, MO in 1982 to be closer to family.
Terry has always had a happy easygoing nature and liked to take time to smell the roses along the way. He aptly named his first dog (a basset hound), Rosie. After that, Terry was a dog dad to multiple shelter dogs selected because they were the least likely to be adopted.
When Terry received a cash gift from his grandparents (Clyde and Juanita Copple) he immediately went out and spent it on a fun weekend. When his mom asked what he had to show for it, he looked right at her and said, “The smile on my face.”
Terry won the 125 lb weight class at the state wrestling championship and graduated from Carl Junction High School in 1984. He began working with his uncle, Jerry Corum of Corum Drywall and eventually took over the family business. He was quite simply the best at his craft because he cared about people and quality. He liked working for himself so he had his free time to devote to his family.
Betty’s Laundromat (owned by Rhonda’s mother) is where Terry met the love of his life, Rhonda. What they didn’t know when they met was that Rhonda had lived in the house directly behind Terry for years. It was as if they were always meant to be close to one another.
Miles was born in 1991 and was adopted by Terry after Terry and Rhonda married on August 3, 1991. Their daughter, Page was born in 1992 followed by their daughter Gabrielle (Gabby) born in 1994.
A lifelong fan of the Buffalo Bills (and who knows why since he never lived in Buffalo, NY), Terry said it was a great football team to be a fan of because they always lost and he was never disappointed. He’d be pretty upset that he won’t be around for one of their best seasons in decades.
He would take anyone willing to go to the range to shoot and on the way he would regale them with stories as well as multiple stops along the way at stores for snacks and sodas.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather (Pops to his grandkids), brother and son who led by example. Terry never had a lot of money but was one of the richest people on the planet surrounded by the love of family and friends. He never knew a stranger and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. His positive can-do attitude and the love of his family was his hallmark. He always gave of himself without asking for anything in return. He will be deeply missed.
Private family services for Terry and Rhonda will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Carl Junction Christian Church with public graveside service at Spring River Cemetery in Tipton Ford, MO at noon. Open public viewing Thursday - Friday (January 7-8) at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, MO. Family are asking if you are able, to make a donation to the Kerri On Random Acts of Kindness Non-Profit: https://kerrion.org/contact/ You can learn more about Kerrion here https://www.facebook.com/kerrion/
Attending family are asked to please observe a 6 ft social distance between households and to wear a mask at all times.
RHONDA COPPLE
Rhonda is survived by her three children and their spouses; son Miles and wife Jordyn Copple ; daughters Page Miner, husband Brycen; and Gabby Roberts, husband Jaxon; grandchildren Myloh Copple, Maisyn Copple, Murphy Copple, Kaiden Miner, Emma (Reese) Miner, Holly Miner, Hayden Roberts and Kora Roberts; She is also survived by her mother Betty Jo Bower and step-mother Melba Bower, six sisters Reva, Barbara, Leisha, Laura, Angie and Brenda along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Rhonda was a lifelong resident of Joplin, Mo. She managed Betty’s Coin Laundry for many years and then moved on to a successful career working as an Account Manager for Triton Supply, a Lighting & Electric Wholesale Company.
Her Grandchildren know her as Ro Ro and were the light of her life. She was so very proud of them and they brought joy to her heart. Her sisters describe her as the Youngest, Tallest, Funniest, Smartest, Skinniest and Prettiest of the seven but they love her anyway. Rhonda’s co-workers describe her as intelligent, articulate and able to bring comedic relief in any stressful situation.
Above all Rhonda loved her children. She loved life and her family. She was hard working and fun-loving Rhonda had a beautiful singing voice she seldom shared publicly and was a die-hard fan of the show Dr. Who. Rhonda had a heart of compassion and cared deeply for people. She loved God and one of her favorite scriptures was “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. ... Psalm 91:4”.
Rhonda and her husband are now resting in God’s presence.
She was pre-deceased by her father Virgil Bower.
Private family services for Terry and Rhonda will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Carl Junction Christian Church with public graveside service at Spring Valley Cemetery in Tipton Ford, MO at noon. Open public viewing Thursday - Friday (January 7-8) at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, MO. Family are asking if you are able, to make a donation to the Kerri On Random Acts of Kindness Non-Profit: https://kerrion.org/contact/ You can learn more about Kerrion here https://www.facebook.com/kerrion/
Attending family are asked to please observe a 6 ft social distance between households and to wear a mask at all times.
Above all Rhonda loved her children. She loved life and her family. She was hard working and fun-loving Rhonda had a beautiful singing voice she seldom shared publicly and was a die-hard fan of the show Dr. Who. Rhonda had a heart of compassion and cared deeply for people. She loved God and one of her favorite scriptures was “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. ... Psalm 91:4”.
Rhonda and her husband are now resting in God’s presence.
She was pre-deceased by her father Virgil Bower.
Private family services for Terry and Rhonda will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Carl Junction Christian Church with public graveside service at Spring Valley Cemetery in Tipton Ford, MO at noon. Open public viewing Thursday - Friday (January 7-8) at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, MO. Family are asking if you are able, to make a donation to the Kerri On Random Acts of Kindness Non-Profit: https://kerrion.org/contact/ You can learn more about Kerrion here https://www.facebook.com/kerrion/
Attending family are asked to please observe a 6 ft social distance between households and to wear a mask at all times.
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