A memorial service for Mr. Cary Copeland, 72, of the Delray Community, in Panola County, TX, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, at Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Delray with Rev. Greg Edwards and Dr. John Ray officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Mr. Copeland passed away on Sunday night, Nov. 30, 2014, in Tyler.

Cary Harrott Copeland was born on March 4, 1942, in Tyler, to the late Richard Franklin Copeland, Sr. and Irene Ella Harrott Copeland. He graduated from Carthage High School with the class of 1960, where he served as class president. He then attended Panola College where he was nominated as "Mr. Panola". He earned his bachelor and master degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University. He earned a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Georgetown University. Mr. Copeland worked in civil service during his career where he served in various capacities including: aide to Congressman Wright Patman for eight years, Director of Asset Forfeiture for the U.S. Justice Department, Deputy Associate U.S. Attorney General, and Immigration Judge for the U.S. Government before his retirement. He moved back to the area in 1997, from Dallas. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his daughter, Catherine Elizabeth Copeland.

Survivors include two brothers, Dr. Richard Copeland and wife, Dr. Carolyn Copeland of Delray and David Copeland, M.D. and wife, Irene Townsend, M.D. of Lexington, VA; two nieces, Dr. Cassandra Copeland Marcinik and husband Todd Marcinik and Lillian Copeland; one nephew, William Copeland; and a great niece, Alexandra.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Northeast Texas, 303 Enterprise, Longview, TX 75604 or to the Texas Shakespeare Festival, 1100 Broadway Blvd. Kilgore, TX 75662.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.