Leonard Copeland

Leonard Ronald Copeland was born May 26, 1946, to Adell and Eddie B. Copeland in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

As a young child Leonard attended church with his grandmother and became an usher. Leonard went to Hughes High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy

shortly after graduation in 1965. While in the Navy, Leonard served as a Fleet Marine Corpsman during the Vietnam War, earning a Purple Heart Military award, after being struck in battle. After his brave service, Leonard enrolled at Central State University, where he graduated Cum Laude, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration. At Central State, Leonard immersed himself in many activities and organizations, including football, tutoring, student

government, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Leonard’s leadership qualities were apparent as he was elected President of his fraternity chapter and dean of pledges.

Leonard met the love of his life Cheryl Roberts at Central State University and united in holy matrimony in 1974. He was an adoring, supportive husband for 50 years. This marriage was blessed with 2 children, Lenny and Melissa. After 

graduating from Central State University, Leonard moved to Columbus and went on to complete his M.B.A at The Ohio State University. He began his career in management at Lazarus before accepting a position as Assistant Treasure in the Fees and Deposits department at The Ohio State University. While working at OSU, Leonard earned the Distinguished Staff Award in 1996. In the late 90’s, Leonard left OSU to pursue his passion of full-time entrepreneurship, working as a Real Estate broker and appraiser.

Leonard submitted his life to Christ in the early 80’s and instantly became active at Aenon Missionary Baptist Church, serving as an ordained Deacon and Trustee under Pastor Doughty. Leonard went on to serve as a deacon at Mount Gerizim Baptist Church, first serving under Paster Watkins, and later under Paster Riley. Leonard helped in many ways at the church where needed, even as he grew sick, often working in the background at home. His last project at the church was the implementation of Mount Gerizim’s sign.

Leonard earned many awards in his life, yet his most prized possession was his family. He will always be remembered as having a large presence wherever he went. He was an enthusiastic, hardworking, giving, dedicated husband, father, and friend. He was a true servant of God, always putting others before himself. Leonard served people in many capacities throughout his life, whether it was tutoring, coaching, mentoring, or charitable donations. Leonard always tried to keep a positive attitude even as his health declined, telling anyone who would ask how he was doing, he felt super-fantastic.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Adell and Eddie B. Copeland; his grandmother, Melissa Myles; aunt and uncle, Rosa and Ben Conley; sisters, Barbara Jones and Wilhemenia Jackson; brother, Allen Myles Sr.; friend, Nate Taylor. 

Leonard leaves behind his loving wife of 50 years, Cheryl Copeland; son, Leonard Copeland II; daughter, Melissa Freed (Andrew); grandchildren, Amaya Copeland, Lenee Copeland, Lauryn Copeland, Leonard Copeland III, Caylynn Copeland, Kara Freed, Levin Freed; sister-in-law, Lorene Myles; nephew, Ronald Copeland; Kevin Myles, Allen Myles, Jr., and Michael Myles; niece, Cheryl Reddick (Charles); great nephew, Austin Copeland; great niece, Alecia Reddick; cousins, Gwendolyn Fox (Peter), Tony Myles (Debbie); brother-in-laws, Wayne and Marcellus Roberts, along with a host of other family and friends.