LARRY DUANE COPPINGER ~ Class of 1954
March 10, 1936 - October 15, 2007





Larry D. Coppinger of Longview, WA was peacefully ushered into God's presence October 15, 2007 after a strong and valiant fight with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Beecher and Sarah Stapleton Coppinger.

Left behind are his beloved wife and care-giver, Carol Ann; daughter, Carol {'78) (Vince) Clubb of Granite Bay, CA and their children Donnie, Justin, and Aaron; son, David (Jennifer) of Kennewick, WA and their children, John and Melissa; step-daughter, Terri Morgan of Sonoma, CA and her children, Elias, Sarah, and Liana; step-son, Scott (Pati) Way of Beavercreek, OH and their children, Anton and Aria; sisters, Judy ('60) (Bob) Owen of Salem, OR and Kathleen Coppinger ('64) of Kennewick, WA; two aunts and one uncle: Mildred and Dausie of Texas and Robert of Oklahoma; three nephews, Keith (Brenda) of Salem, OR; Kevin of Vancouver, WA, and Kirk of Keizer, OR; two great nieces, Hailey and Marissa of Salem, OR; and numerous cousins.

Larry was born on a farm in Hunt County, TX. At the age of two, his family moved to Kansas City, MO where they lived until late 1943 when his father went to Richland, WA to work at Hanford. Larry, his mother and baby sister lived in Texas until arrangements were made in early 1944 for them to also move to Richland. Two years later, another sister joined the family. Larry attended Richland schools, and was active in his church.

He married his first wife, Carolyn Deanna, in 1955 and enlisted in the Army Signal Corps, serving most of his time as an instructor at the Redstone Arsenal Base, Huntsville, AL, where their daughter was born. Upon discharge in 1961, he returned to Richland where their son was born.

Larry attended Columbia Basin College while working at Battelle as an Instrument Technician. In 1971, he was recruited by General Electric and began a rewarding career that culminated in the title of Projects Manager, where he directed engineering upgrades at many dams on the Snake and Columbia rivers.

Larry and Carol Ann were married on Valentine's Day in 1981, and they retired to Packwood, WA in 1993 where he enjoyed woodworking and carpentry. Papa, as he was known by his grandkids, loved the mountains and wanted a place in the woods for family to visit. He enjoyed restoring and giving rides on his farm tractor as well as a front-loading backhoe, which were also useful in plowing the winter snows. A beach house at Ocean Park, WA was also a great joy for the entire family. For health reasons, he and Carol Ann settled in Longview, WA to be near medical facilities.

Larry loved to tell stories of the many adventures, friends, and memorable experiences he had throughout his life. He was at peace with God his Heavenly Father, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Larry's grandsons and nephews are honorary pallbearers.

His last few weeks were eased by the loving care he received from Community Home Health and Hospice nurses in his own home. Memorials may be made to this Hospice in Longview, WA or the Hospice in Tri-Cities, WA, if desired. Arrangements are by Columbia Funeral Service of Longview, WA, and Einan's Funeral Home of Richland, WA.

View/Sign thew guest book at Einan's website