Richard J Coppedge

On July 19, 2020 at his home in Kissimmee, Florida, with his loving wife of 42 years, Joan A. (Beal) Coppedge, by his side, Richard J. Coppedge, Sr., passed away into the loving arms of our Lord.

Richard was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania in 1931. The son of Charles and Margaret (Colbert) Coppedge. He attended Phoenixville High School and played trumpet in America's first dancing band. He was a hard worker at McAvoy Brickyard outside of Phoenixville and National Rolling Mills in Malvern. Richard was the first African-American police officer in Phoenixville and many other firsts in his community.

In 1983, he and wife Joan, moved to Kissimmee, Florida, where in 1986, Richard became the first African-American meter reader for the city of Kissimmee.

Richard was a lover of sports, cinema and music. He enjoyed attending concerts and testing his knowledge of sports and movie trivia. He was an avid bowler and fan of many of the professional bowlers on tour.

Richard was loved and respected by all of his children and many friends and acquaintances wherever he lived. He was very charming, enjoyed witty banter with everyone and making people laugh. The comment most often heard about him was "What a gentleman"!

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Debbie Coppedge Mitchell and Margaret Coppedge Banks and brother Charles.

He is survived by his brother, Donald J.L. Coppedge, first wife, Clara Coppedge and their four children; daughter, Joyce Ann Coppedge Brickley and sons Richard J. Coppedge Jr., husband of Julie Keef, Reverend Charles J. Coppedge, and Jeffrey R. Coppedge, Husband of Bobbi Jo Brisette. Grandchildren, Corinne Ja’net Hill, Wayne Brickley Jr, Kelisha Brickley and great grandson Quaron Brickley and numerous nieces and nephews.

Wife, Joan A. (Beal) Coppedge and step-children, Debra J. (Tyler) Spinelli, Jerold D. Tyler, husband of Kinberly Holcombe, and Suzanne L. (Tyler) Smith, wife of George M. Smith. Step grandchildren, S/Sgt. Tyler D. Smith, USAF, and Sorcha M. Smith, nd step great grandson, Kiernan Reed.

Remembrances may be posted to the on-line memory book at: www.conradandthompson.com.

Memorial services at Grimes AME Church in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of Flowers, honorariums in Richard’s name may be sent to the Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, Florida 32778-9648.

The Coppedge family is being cared for by: CONRAD & THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, Florida 34741; 407-847-3188.

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