On St. Patrick’s Day 1944, Shannon Roger Copeland was born on a naval base hospital in San Diego California, to John Henry Copeland and Catherine “Casey” Gordon.
John was a member of the Klamath Tribe, and Shannon spent his first years in Chiloquin, Oregon on the Klamath-Modoc Reservation. Shannon graduated from Silverton High School in 1963, served on the USS Tattnal in the Navy, and attended Mt. Angel College where he pursued a degree in theater. Shannon worked for the Oregon State Lottery before his retirement. He stayed active with his family, the theater, and his shuffle-board league.
Shannon was preceded in death by his wife, Gayle McKenzie; his parents; and his siblings, Charles, Gordon and Sharon. He is survived by his sister, Catherine Manion of Eureka, California; his daughter, Annette Dettwyler of Silverton; his son, Adam Copeland of Vancouver, Washington; his grandchildren, Sarah, Casey, May, Jacob, Talitha, Marie, and Josef; his great-grandchildren, Raymond, Rodney, Maxine, and Vivien Clare; and a tribe of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and countless friends.
Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel – Silverton.
