COL. Ronald A. Copes (Ret.)'s Obituary
Ronald A. Copes died peacefully in Bonney Lake, WA on April 7, 2020 after a long struggle with Amyloidosis. He was 78 years old. Born in Hartford, Connecticut on December 1, 1941, Ronald was the son of Mamie P. (Copes) Bailey and Aelix A. Copes. He attended Hartford Public School where he was a student athlete in football and basketball, graduating in 1959. He was elected to the Hartford Public High School Sports Hall of Fame. He attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri on a football scholarship, earning a BS Degree in Accounting in 1963. He earned an MBA Degree in Management from Atlanta University in 1973.
While a student at Lincoln, in addition to playing football, he was active in campus activities as well as his studies. He was named first team tackle to the Mid-West Athletic Association in 1962. He became a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In 1960, and later became a life member. He was engaged in the Student Government Association and was elected President in 1962. Ronald was a leader in the Reserve Officer Training Corps which led him to being designated a Distinguished Military Graduate. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Armor upon graduation. Ronald was elected to the Lincoln University ROTC Hall of Fame.
It was at Lincoln University where he met the love of his life, Melva Washington Copes, whom he married in 1964, remaining together for _55_years.
Entering the US Army in 1963, after completing Armor Officer Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY, he began what was to become a distinguished military career of 27 years at Fort Ord, CA. At Fort Ord he was assigned to a tank battalion within the Combat Developments Command. In addition to serving as a platoon leader, he played football for the Combat Developments Command. In 1966 Ronald received orders for Vietnam where he served in the First Squadron Fourth Calvary. He received the city of Hartford’s medallion for Vietnam gallantry service in 1967. He returned safely from this first tour in Vietnam and was assigned to the Sixth Armored Calvary regiment at Fort Meade, MD. His first son, Ronald II was born while he served at Fort Meade. Following the Fort Meade assignment, he was selected to attend the Infantry Officer Career Course at Fort Benning, GA. Upon graduation he began an abbreviated teaching assignment at Fort Knox before he was sent again to Vietnam, this time as a District Senior Advisor, working closely with the Vietnamese people. After his second tour in Vietnam, the Army sent him to Atlanta to enroll in a Master’s Program at Atlanta University where he excelled academically. He was elected to Delta Mu Delta Honor Society at Atlanta University. Upon obtaining his MBA in 1973, he was selected to attend the Army’s Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS. After successfully completing this graduate level Army school, he was selected to serve on the CGSC faculty, where he taught for three years. Upon completion of his teaching assignment he and his family left the USA for what was to become five years in Europe. Serving with the First Squadron, First Cavalry in the Army’s First Armored Division; first as Executive Officer and later as Squadron Commander.
Upon returning to the United States in 1982, Ronald became the Professor of Military Science at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. In 1985 he became the Director of Information Management/ Commander ISC-Arpercen, serving in this position until he retired from the Army in 1990. His awards include; the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Combat infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and Parachutist Badge and the City of Hartford’s Medallion for Service in Vietnam.
In 1990 Ronald joined Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in its Corporate Human Resources Division. He served in the Corporate Systems and the Disability Income area prior to becoming the Community Relations Officer for MassMutual. In this capacity he represented the company within the communities of Hartford and Springfield. Ronald was a well-respected and recognized community leader representing MMFG. He also received The Golden Goose Award for Leadership.
In 1997 MassMutual recognized him with the Chairman’s Leadership Award. In 2000 he received the National Eagle Leadership Institute’s Eagle Award for Community involvement. He was honored by the United Way of the Capitol Area with their highest award, the Community Service Award. He received the Urban League of Greater Hartford’s Sankofa Award for Community Service. He was the recipient of the National Conference of Community and Justice’s Human Relations Award in 2004, and the Ubora Award from the Springfield Museum.
His board affiliations have included: Amistad Center for Arts & Culture, Connecticut Council for Philanthropy, United Way of the Capitol Area, Hartford Education Foundation, University of Hartford, Partners for a Healthier Community. In April 2004, he was appointed by Mayor Ryan to serve on the Regional Employment Board of Trustees at Springfield Technical College. He later became Chairman of the Springfield Technical College Board of Trustees. He was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society at Western New England College in 2008. He served as president of the Black Leadership Alliance in Springfield, MA. He was a member of The Brethren, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Delta Pi Chapter, and the Black Men of Greater Springfield.
He was called out of retirement to serve as the Interim President/CEO of the United Way of the Pioneer Valley and then interim Vice-President.
Ron is pre-deceased by his Parents, his Step-Father Kenneth Bailey Sr., one older sister Catherine Heath, Brother-in-law Zephaniah Heath and one younger sister Glenda Reed. He leaves to mourn his wife, Melva, a daughter Tia Davis, Sons Ronald A. Copes II, Rodney A. Copes (Florence), 8 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, Siblings Paul Copes (Barbara), Cynthia Copes-Carr (James), Gloria King (James), Jeanette Bailey-Spence, Karen Bailey Addison (Mikie), Kenneth Bailey (Edna), Rickie Bailey, Michael Bailey (Lenora), Mark Bailey (Rosa), Nadine Bailey, Norman Bailey, brother-in-law William Reed, Aelix Copes (Michele), Crystal Williams (Ronald), Cheryl Copes, and Roger Copes. Many Nieces and Nephews and Grand and Great Nieces and Nephews. Also, a loving group of dear special friends he has met along the way in his life—Lincoln University family, Military family, Atlanta U. family, and the many housing areas he has been in since 1941.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Ronald A. Copes Scholarship fund. This can be done at www.communityfoundation.org and clicking "Donate now"; or by mail at Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts ATTN: Debra Koske
333 Bridge St Springfield, MA 01103.
GOD BLESS YOU ONE AND ALL!
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