John Copes was born on July 9th, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois. His parents, George and Mildred Copes moved to Detroit, Michigan not long after, along with John's older brother James. His younger brother, Manuel, and only sister, Irene, were born shortly after their move. Johnny grew up in Detroit and received his Bachelor's Degree from Wayne State University in 1952.

Johnny served in the Army from 1953 to 1955. He was in the 66th tank battalion, 2nd Armed Division (Hell on Wheels) and was stationed in Germany during the Korean war era.

Johnny was employed with the US State Department, Agency for International Development as a Senior Administrative Officer in charge of the Executive Secretariat, and spent several years in Pakistan, India, Vietnam as well as other countries. Johnny received an award in recognition of his 35 years of service and dedication to the government of the United States.

Johnny lived in Alexandria, Virginia, after he returned from overseas. It was there that he married Insook Lee and was a good father to stepson, Mark. They were together for a number of years. In 2006, Johnny moved to Southern California where he resided in Rancho Santa Margarita, close to his brother Manuel and sister-in-law Rose and family.

Johnny was a very thoughtful, kind, helpful and very generous man with a great sense of humor. He cared very much for his family and helped in many ways. He had a big heart. Even when things were tough, he would crack a joke and have a smile on his face. He was always happy to see his family and he loved having conversations with them. He liked to read about current events and US and World news. Johnny was very detail-oriented. He was a strong man and never gave up... He was a true veteran.

On November 6th, 2018, at 11:15 pm, John Copes passed away at Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach. His funeral will be at 10:30 am on Friday, November 16, 2018, at Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church, 27129 Calle Arroyo #1803, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Following the service, we will meet at 12:00 pm noon for his burial at El Toro Memorial Park, 25751 Trabuco Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630. Following the burial, there will be a reception at the home of Manuel and Rose Copes.

He is survived by his stepson, Mark Lee (Jennifer), two grandchildren, Tristan Lee and Tyler Lee, two brothers, Jim Copes and Manuel Copes (Rose), three nieces, Debra Barrera (Art) Leslie-Anne Copes-Finke (Andrew), Christina Tortomasi (Jeff), two nephews, Papa George Malliotakis (Eleni), and Steven Copes (Anne), seven great nieces Katerina Malliotakis, Alana Burton (Mike), Della Copes-Finke, Alexandra Tortomasi, Ella Kopidakis, Cambria Tortomasi and Isabelle Kopidakis, and four great nephews, Artemis Malliotakis, Max Copes-Finke, Ezra Copes-Finke, and Logan Tortomasi, as well as two great great nieces, Angelina Burton and Raffaelia Malliotakis, and four great great nephews, Manolis Kalogerakis, Justin Haynes, and George Kalogerakis and George Malliotakis.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you send donations, in the name of John Copes, to Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church, 27129 Calle Arroyo #1803, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675.

Johnny will be greatly missed.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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