John Ernest Copeland, of Redwood City CA, died peacefully in his home on October 27, 2025. He was 88 years old. He is survived by son John Richard "Rick" Copeland, daughter Julie Renee Hayashi (Copeland), son-in-law Richard Hayashi, sister-in-law Deborah (McIntyre) Borges, brother-in-law Raymond Borges, and many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He is predeceased by his wife, Margaret Louise "Peg" (McIntyre) Copeland, daughter Jennifer Lynn Copeland, sisters Nell and Avis, and brother James.


John was born in Lawrenceburg, TN on June 22, 1937 to Joseph "Ben" Copeland and Linnie "Jewel" (Johnson) Copeland. Childhood on the family farm was followed by many moves for his father's construction work. When they settled in Mishawaka IN, he met Peg, who attended a rival high school in South Bend. They married on July 20, 1957. At first, he made musical instruments in Elkhart IN, and worked as an engineer with a local rock 'n' roll band-but with a young family, declined to travel with them. Seeking better opportunities, John and Peg moved to California and settled in Redwood City.


At first, John worked two or three jobs to make ends meet. He took night classes in engineering at the College of San Mateo. Job hunting one day, he walked into Insul-8 Corporation in San Carlos, a manufacturer of devices for industrial equipment. The owner asked, "What can you do?" John replied, "Anything you want to train me for." He was hired on the spot, and gained life-long career skills. Later, he started two sheet metal fabrication businesses. Always tinkering and creative, John would fashion custom tools and devices to fix and improve his home and business.


In the 1970's, John became Vice-President of Manufacturing for Simplex Filler Company, which made liquid filling machines. Later, he developed a countertop filling machine that could be broken down and cleaned by hand, and sold the design. He then started an HVAC mechanical services company with his friend, Bill Gibbons. When they parted ways, John worked on his own, partnered with others, including his son-in-law Richard, and eventually became part of Beals Martin Inc. Into his 70s, semi-retired, John was still helping people install and service HVAC systems.


In retirement, he played weekly golf, traveled with Peg occasionally, and kept in touch with family and friends in Tennessee, Indiana, and France. John and Peg were a big part of the families in the Nimitz Avenue neighborhood that they counted as lifelong friends. Members for decades of St. Pius Church in Redwood City, they gave their time and energy to its extended community as well.


John worked hard to give his children better opportunities than he had. He bypassed several chances to move for employment. He wanted a more settled home life for his family than the one he had growing up. His sometimes quiet, sometimes vocal guidance helped them achieve their goals in life, for which they will always be grateful.


A service will be held on January 12, 2026 at 11:00am at St. Pius Church in Redwood City, with a reception to follow. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to the American Cancer Society.