Larry Copenhaver

Larry Copenhaver died on January 3, 2023 in his 100th year of life. Larry was born in Tacoma, WA on May 9, 1923 to Arthur and Jeannette Copenhaver, and he would eventually become the oldest of six children. In 1924, his family moved to Sunnyside, WA and began farming on Reeves Road. He attended Sunnyside schools, including Outlook School through first grade, Independence School for 2-3 grades, Maple Grove School for 3-6 grades, Lincoln School for 7-9 grades, and Sunnyside High School for 10-12 grades. He graduated in 1942. He grew up on the family farm, where they had no electricity or running water until he was out of high school. He farmed with a team of horses until he was 21 years old, when he bought his first tractor. In 1948, he met and married Roberta Marshall, and they bought some farmland and made their home on Independence Road. Larry designed and built their house. It was initially 900 square feet, and as their family grew, he continued adding on until it was 2600 square feet. In addition to farming 40 acres, Larry worked for various local companies as a draftsman. He started and operated Country Frame Shop, doing custom frames for pictures and paintings. He also ran a landscaping business for many years. He was always active in his hobbies, which included horses, model trains, woodworking, artwork, and especially painting. He leaves behind numerous drawings and oil paintings for his family to enjoy. When Larry retired in 1990, he sold his farm and built his dream house in Leavenworth. They lived there and enjoyed the people and the beautiful scenery until Roberta’s health brought them back to Sunnyside in 2010. She died in 2011 and Larry moved in with his daughter, Melanie, who became his loyal companion and caregiver. Larry was a faithful Christian his entire life. He was an active member of the Sunnyside Christian Church until the 1960’s, when he joined the membership of the Sunnyside Grace Brethren Church. While they lived in Leavenworth, he worshipped with Plain Community Church. Larry was a friend to anyone who met him, and he wanted others to also experience the joy and peace he had through faith in Christ. Larry is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Roberta, daughter Mary Jane, siblings Bonnie Whited, Marilyn Dammarell, and Clint Copenhaver, and daughter-in-law Lori Copenhaver. He is survived by his children, Melanie Copenhaver, David (Kathie) Copenhaver, Marsha (Mike) McComas, and Paul Copenhaver; by his brothers Jerry (Jane) Copenhaver and Kenneth Benjamin (Sharon) Copenhaver, and sister-in-law Joanne Copenhaver; by his grandchildren Sara (Troy) Titus, Adam (Susie) Copenhaver, Alyssa Copenhaver, Tyler (Kami) Copenhaver, Teranne (Niek) Arentsen, Megan (Mark) Barrett, Allison (Kevin) Chryst, Austin (Elecia) Copenhaver, Caitlin (Jordan) Knox, Whitney (Troy) Hennum, and Lucas (Rebekah) McComas; by 22 great grandchildren; and by numerous extended relatives. All are invited to his funeral service at 11:00am on Saturday, January 28 at the Sunnyside Grace Brethren Church. Memorial gifts may be made to Sunnyside Grace Brethren Church and will be used to support Clear Lake Grace Brethren Camp. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Larry Copenhaver, please visit our flower store.