Theodore Eugene Copeland

Theodore Eugene “Gene” Copeland, 83, passed away on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at Baptist Medical Center, Jacksonville, after a long and courageous battle with multiple illnesses.  Gene was born in Jacksonville on October 23, 1937, to Will and Inez Copeland.  He attended public schools in Jacksonville where he excelled in baseball, basketball and football. After leaving Robert E. Lee High School, Gene enlisted in the United States Air Force with duty stations located in North Africa and Chicago.  While in Chicago, he met his wife to be, Victoria “Vicky” Hoogestraat.  After his military service, Gene moved back to Jacksonville with Vicky and their young daughter, Diane. Gene’s career was spent in land title searching and land title insurance, starting in Jacksonville and continuing in various areas of Florida, with his final business years being spent in Orlando.  Following Vicky’s death, Gene returned to Jacksonville where he spent his final years in retirement.   He is survived by his daughter: Diane C. Vankirk, of Orlando, a grandson: Sean Deese and his wife Nichole, of Jacksonville and two Great Grandchildren, Nathaniel and Brooke and a grandson: Stephen Vankirk and his wife Sheena, of Orlando and two Great Grandchildren, Kyleigh and Kelsey and various nieces and nephews.  A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Ortega United Methodist Church, 4807 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville, FL, 32210.  A Dignified Alternative-Hatcher Cremations, Jacksonville, is in charge of arrangements.