Howard Vernon (Copie) Copenhaver

Howard Vernon (Copie) Copenhaver, age 87, was born on Aug. 10, 1919, in Nampa, Idaho, to Edna and Henry Edward Copenhaver. He was the youngest of their nine children. He passed away on July 30, 2007.

He spent his youth growing up on the family farm in southern Idaho and attended the local Community College in Boise, Idaho.

During that time his fascination for flight led him to enroll in the school's flight program. He then enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a pilot trainer during World War II. He was stationed in Tucson, Ariz., as well as Alaska.

After the war, he decided to pursue his college education at the University of Idaho in Moscow. He became a lifelong member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and subsequently earned his Master's Degree in Agriculture Economics.

While he was finishing his studies, he met and married the love of his life, Beth Eilene Geaudreau, in Newport on Aug. 1, 1948.

As a faithful servant of the Lord, he expressed his love and devotion for his family, friends, and community in many ways. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Moses Lake and served as a deacon, elder, and worked on the Building and Grounds Committee.

He was also a member and past president of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. His term occurred during the period of time when Larson Air Force Base was closing but he believed that Moses Lake would endure and prosper and he was so right!

He was also an instrumental part of a group of professionals who created the successful Potato Conference and Trade Fair in Moses Lake and he loved being a part of this event for many years.

Howard also enjoyed his fraternal associations and was a member of the Moses Lake Masonic Lodge #174 and served for a number of years as their treasurer. He was a Past Associate Guardian for Job's Daughters Bethel #68. He continued his fraternal work and became a Shriner and was a member of the Big Bend Shrine Clown Club and the Pacific Northwest Shrine Clown Association. He was affectionately known as "Copie" the clown and loved doing all he could to help children lead happier, healthier lives.

He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Claudia Kay Rigsby in 1997.

He is survived by his wife Beth and their three children; Katie Rigsby and husband Larry of Richland, Wash., Phillip Copenhaver and his wife Christine of Moses Lake, and Denise Pulliam and her husband Walter of Enumclaw, Wash. His surviving grandchildren include Nicole Wagner and her husband Kyle, Christopher Copenhaver, Stephanie Pulliam, and Paul Copenhaver. Other family members include a brother-in-law, Dale Geaudreau and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and Shrine kids.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 4, at 2 p.m. at the Newport cemetery. A memorial service will be held later, on Aug. 11, at 11 a.m. in Moses Lake at the First Presbyterian Church at 1142 W. Ivy Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations in Copie's memory may be given to either the First Presbyterian Church in Moses Lake or to the Shriners Hospital for Children at PO Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210-2472.

Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home and Crematory in Newport, Wash., is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are welcome to sign the online guest book at www.sherman-knapp.com.