Gary Wayne Coppedge

     Gary Wayne Coppedge, 71, of Desloge passed away Saturday, October 8, 2016 at Southbrook Skilled Care Center in Farmington. He was born on June 1, 1945 in Desloge to the late Guy Sherrill and Edith Virginia (Sweeney) Coppedge.

     Gary was a natural athlete excelling in swimming and diving.  In his younger years he could be seen at the Desloge pool doing somersaults and flips off the high diving board.  He was a Judo instructor for several years and as a competitor won many trophies.  Gary enjoyed fishing and particularly the “adventures” with his brothers.

     As a child Gary accepted Christ as his Savior.  Gary was always ready to help anyone, never met a stranger, and had an innocent, childlike trust in people.  Although Gary was blind, he knew people by their voice or their footsteps and remembered dates of any event associated with his family and his life.

     In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his sisters, Patsy, Jean, Lorraine Allen, Marie Webb and Michaleen Parker; brothers, Donald, Bobby, Roy “Cotton”, Sherrill and Guy.

     Gary is survived by his sisters, Evelyn Qualls of Bonne Terre, Wanda Patterson of Webb City, Connie (Jerry) James of Jefferson City; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

     A special thanks to Dr. Bramhall, nurses, aides, and staff at Southbrook Skilled Care Center for their love and care of Gary.

     Visitation will be Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 1:00 PM at C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home in Desloge with funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM with Pastor Bradford Laubinger officiating. Interment to follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Park Hills.  Memorials may be directed to Backstoppers of St. Francois County.