A bible in one hand and love in the other is how friends and family remember 70-year-old Ralph Copeland.
“He was a great and loving man,” said daughter Tina Ruiz.
“He was a lovable person,” said member of Harvest Ministries, Hector Collizo. “That man could really speak to you and the love of God. He not only spoke it, he lived it.”
Not only a pilot, Copeland also served as pastor at New Harvest Ministries in Brownsville…a church he helped overcome many obstacles.
“He came in and lifted us up,” another member, Enrique Salazar said. “He was a tremendous person.”
Although it’ll be hard, the congregation agrees they’ll continue on.
“We’re going to carry on what he started,” Collizo said.
“We’re going to do our best to get together the congregation to see what happens and continue going on,” said Salazar.
Copeland’s daughter, Tina, said although her family is mourning the loss of her father…their thoughts and prayers go out to the Voreis family.
“He was performing CPR on him and the gentleman at the airport had to pull him off of him,” Ruiz said. “I just want to tell Aaron thanks for that.”
Tina said she doesn’t want her father remembered as the man who crashed an airplane, but something more.
“He was always there for his congregation,” Salazar said. “If you called him at 3 a.m. he would respond to use. He would never say I’ll see you in the morning. He would respond.”
So, for the man who loved everyone. “He always wore a pin that said I love you,” said Ruiz.
There is no question that he will be greatly missed.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT