Jerry Copes Sr.

Jerry Copes Sr. was the first of twelve children born to the late Jimmie and Hazel Copes on February 26, 1948 in Oakland, California.

Jerry grew up in Oakland where he would go on to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War; he received an honorable discharge in 1971. Jerry met Jewel Oliver and after a whirlwind romance they were wed on January 17, 1978. To this union was born five beautiful children, four daughters and one son. Eleven years after their marriage, Jerry moved to Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife and children where he remained until his demise.

Jerry was a family man who enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. Known affectionately as "Paw-Paw" by his grandchildren, he loved to gather them all together for trips to the store and sleepovers in his home. Though he will mostly be remembered as a quiet, reserved man, he will also be remembered by those closest to him as a jovial jokester who could always serve up a laugh.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Jewel; four brothers, Edgar, Gregory, Jimmy and Richard Copes; as well as one step-son, Todd Oliver.

Left to cherish Jerry's memory are four daughters, Nicole Freeman, Summer Copes, Simone Copes, and Shanika Danielle Copes; one son, Jerry Copes Jr.; one step-son, Maurice Oliver; one step-daughter, Sheila Oliver; one son-in-law, Tekolve Freeman Sr.; four sisters, Barbara Copes-Moore, Gwendolyn Long, Cynthia Hendricks, and Sophia Powell; one brother, Pastor Mark Copes; sixteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a host of other loving family and friends.