Kenneth Drew Copeland

April 10, 1935 - January 21, 2025

Kenneth (Ken) Copeland, age 89, of Mulberry, AR (previously Mabelvale) transitioned from his earthly home to his eternal heavenly home on January 21, 2025. He was born in Little Rock, AR on April 10, 1935, to the late Drew and Iley Mae Copeland.

Ken graduated from North Little Rock high school in 1953. He continued to learn and educate himself throughout his life - first through tool and die trade school, working at Timex, then in a small startup company, Bradbar, then his own company - Ken Copeland Service Company. He also spent several years in the army reserves, receiving training at Fort Chaffee.

His business focus was heating and air. Ken provided high quality service to each of his customers, needing no formal advertisement, as his excellent work spread through word of mouth from extremely satisfied customers. Even upon retirement, he continued his lifelong learning and service to others who called to ask for his advice, which he was more than happy to give. He also gave advice, even without being asked, whether one wanted it or not. He loved gadgets, acquiring the latest cell phone, smart television, computer access and continued to school himself on how to operate in this new technological age. He was passionate about watching YouTube videos about the latest products and airplane flying content. He was considered an engineer, without the formal education/diploma but lots of common sense - or "horse sense" as he called it.

He loved good homemade food, often referring to his mother's chicken and dumplings, which he never found an exact replacement that matched what he remembered. He loved fried fish especially every Friday. Fried chicken was also a favorite, with Ken noting the best meat was always by the pulley bone. He stated that this was what was offered to the preacher who ate with his family after Sunday services when he was growing up.

Ken also loved his hobbies, such as aviation. He had many past experiences with airplanes and had the opportunity to attend the world famous OshKosh airshow in Wisconsin.

He also enjoyed building stereo, television and electronic devices. He built a Klipsch corner horn speaker with input and parts from Paul Klipsch in the mid-1950s. He built radios and other equipment through the years; his children fondly remembered the smell of the soldering iron and watching him do these meticulous projects.

Ken was an active ham radio operator, having started this passion early in life. This all started when, as a young teenager, he had a workshop behind his house in part of the garage where he learned to transmit radio programs. One day, a man came to the door asking for him. His mother said he was "back in the shed" and the man was welcome to visit him there. Unknown to her, the gentleman was an FCC officer. He met Ken and told him he could not legally continue transmitting, so he was shut down. However, noticing that this was a smart young man, he redirected Ken's interest into becoming a ham radio operator.  Ken achieved his Amateur Extra license in 1954 at the age of 19, quite an accomplishment. Ken's initial ham radio call sign was W5THY (remembered by his children when he was on the air as Whiskey 5 Thomas Henry Yesterday). He updated this to K5KD (King Dog), his current call sign.

Ken had a way with words and was well known for many special sayings that he referred to in his business and personal dealings with others. When selling equipment after bartering with others he always reminded them when delivering the product that it came with a "tail light warranty." He also reminded everyone that "there ain't no free lunch" - everything had someone paying somewhere for the service/product; nothing was ever "free." He was a master at questioning others, keeping his mental capacity and excellent hearing throughout his life. He knew where each of his doctors attained their education and always inquired about their years of experience to determine if they really "knew what they were doing."

Ken was known throughout his years by several titles fondly given to him by his friends. He was referred to as scrooge, king dog, grand curmudgeon, and finally "The Legend." He was good at causing heated dialogue and debate when he was "on the air" which will be missed. Many referred to this as his ability to "stir the pot" - then sit back and enjoy whatever he had stirred up.

He is preceded in death by his parents Drew and Iley Mae Copeland, his wife of 25 years, Sandra Copeland, his brother, Gene Copeland, his nephew, John Copeland, and his son-in-law Forrest Bowman. Many of his extended family and friends who have preceded him in death are now reunited with him, as they are "farther along" and on the "other side". In his final good-byes to family and friends, he told each one that he would see them again on the "other side."

He is survived by his three loving children, Karen Endel (Rick), Paula Bowman, and Kenny Copeland (Beverly). Affectionately known as "Grandfather," he also leaves behind five beautiful granddaughters, Kimberly Endel, Kathryn Endel Berger (Tyler), Amber Copeland, Kayla Clark, and Mariah Latting. He has one great grandson, Alexander Lamb and one great granddaughter, Maryn Berger.

Celebration of Ken's life, per his wishes, will be scheduled at a future graveside ceremony at Shiloh Cemetery in Lafayette County, AR, with the date to be communicated by his family ("a nice day when the weather is warmer"). Ken's ashes will be laid to rest beside his wife, Sandra, his brother, Gene and multiple family members in this beautiful, small country cemetery in south Arkansas.

To sign Ken Copeland's online guestbook, visit www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to a cause of your choice, one that will make our earthly world a better place. One of Ken's organizations that he supported through the years was St. Jude's children's hospital.

Ken will see us "on the other side" reminding us that he is now "Farther along" as relayed in the Jimmy Swaggart song he enjoyed listening to:

Farther along we'll know all about it

Farther along we'll understand why

Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine

We'll understand it all by and by

And now, as discussed with his daughter before he died - Ken's last good-bye, signing off - - -

K5KD clear.