Retired CMSGT (USAF) George Hollis Copening went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 25, 2015. George grew up in rural northeast Texas, one of seven children, to whom he was known affectionately as Hollis. He worked on the family farm, where he learned how to repair engines and machinery. At 19, he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. George traveled worldwide in his service to our country, with tours of duty in Barbados, the Caribbean, England, Spain, Germany, Tripoli and the US.
After the war ended, during the post-war reconstruction in Germany, he met his future bride, Freida Hobmaier. Together, they traveled in several duty assignments, welcoming daughters June, April and Denise. He retired as CMSGT from Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs with a Meritorious Service Award. His beloved wide Freida died in March 1990, after 38 years of marriage.
In life, George was always very aware of God’s precious gift of time. He reconnected with his childhood sweetheart, Frances (Lay) Parson and they were married and lived together in wedded bliss until her death in April, 2006. George’s proudest accomplishments were his military service, his position as an Elder of Eastside Church of Christ, and a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Rosa Copening; brothers: Gerald, Raymond and Elvie; and sisters: Opal Yates, Corrine Helm and Elrita Williams. He is survived by his children: Helmut Bruennel, June Pysto, April Copening and Denise Copening; stepchildren: Bruce Parson, Mickey Parson, Dolvin Parson, Drethia Parsons and Carey Parson; 24 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He also had a very special friendship of more than thirty years with fellow Eastside member Keith Wise.
Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 29, at Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at Eastside Church of Christ, 5905 Flintridge Drive. Private burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.