Claudius W. Cope, age 75, of Joplin, Mo., passed away Thursday, April 2, 2009, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, following a sudden illness. Claud was born Feb. 18, 1934, in Crane, Mo., the son of Robert C. Sr. and Anna Lee (Grisham) Cope. He has been an area resident for over twenty years, moving to Joplin from Ottumwa, Iowa. Claud proudly served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force. Following his discharge from the military, Claud worked for the Federal Aviation Administration until his retirement in 1988. Following retirement, Claud owned and operated Cope Auction Service for many years, also serving as a talented and popular auctioneer. He was a member of Masonic Blue Lodge No. 12 in Emporia, Kan., and a member of the American Legion in Webb City, Mo., and Post No. 13 in Joplin. Claud married Yvonne Peterson on Feb. 10, 1957, in Salina, Kan. She survives. Additional survivors include one son, Steven Cope and his wife, Jeri, of Joplin; two daughters, Tracey Elsten and her husband, Jay, of Joplin, and Brenda Valentine and her husband, Lee, of Peculiar, Mo.; one brother, Robert C. Cope Jr. and his wife, Norma, of Springfield; seven grandchildren, Johnathan Valentine, Christopher Valentine, Paul Cope, Stefanie Cope, Anna Lee Cope, Tristan Elsten and Carissa Elsten; and several nieces and nephews. Claud was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Lolita Wiley, Catherine Wiley and Roberta Turner; and by one nephew, Robbie. Funeral services have been scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, April 6, at the Mason-Woodard Chapel, Dr. Phillip McClendon, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will immediately follow at Osborne Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday April 5, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made to either the Joplin Association for the Blind or the Joplin Humane Society in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at masonwoodard.com
Published in The Joplin Globe from 4/3/2009 - 4/4/2009