On Feb. 15, 2006, at 12:30 p.m. MST, Frederick R. (Olney) Copley, born Oct. 1, 1945, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in the Southern Arizona Veterans Health Care Center, Tucson, Ariz. Fred, a disabled Vietnam veteran, died due to severe complications associated with Agent Orange, induced type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Fred, who grew up in Clear Lake and attended Clear Lake High School, joined the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17, and after completing "boot camp" at MCRD, San Diego, Calif., was station-ed at Las Pulgas, Camp Pendleton, Calif., in India Co., 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He developed into a fine Marine and was exceptionally proud of his Vietnam service with Alpha Co., 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division (FMF). Fred also did a second tour in Vietnam with 9th Motor Transport as a heavy equipment retriever, but most all the reflections and memories he shared regarding his service over there revolved around his duty and service with 1/3. He was very proud of his service in the Marines and those that he served with.
After leaving the Marine Corps, Fred resided in Long Beach, Calif., until moving back to Clear Lake, Iowa, in 1985. He married Karen Burns Copley in 1986, and they moved to Nogales, Ariz., where Karen works for the Nogales Unified School District.
Fred is survived by his wife, Karen, and daughters, Margaret, Brandy (James), and Heather (Thomas). Fred is also survived by brothers, Jim (Sharon) Copley and Herb (Lori) Copley; sisters, Lorna (Bill) Schutz, Bonnie (David) Stark and Robbie Copley Mollencamp; numerous nieces and nephews; and his mother and father-in-law, Wally and Pat Burns.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver Olney and Margaret Olney Copley; stepfather, Lawrence Copley; and brother, Roger.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
The family requests memorials be sent to the Disabled American Veterans Association.
