Lee Copeland III

Lee was born in Athens, Georgia on February 19, 1947,  to Otis Lee Copeland Jr., and Bonnie Chapman Copeland.  He passed peacefully on September 5, 2023, surrounded by his family. Lee was a caring husband, father, and fantastic grandfather.  He was fierce friend to many around the world, a computing pioneer, and a truly terrible fisherman.

Lee spent his career in computer science.  His work spanned from the initial days of scanning cards to eventually writing, implementing, and testing code around the world.  He was a sought-after lecturer and had the opportunity to teach his craft  in 7 continents during his life.  Lee graduated from the University of Utah.  He was exceptionally bright and a member of MENSA.

After meeting in high school , Lee married  Suzanne Rhees  on September 8, 1967, (despite her being out of his league) and together they had nine children.  Shawn (Martha), David (Susan), Cathleen, Melissa (Jay), Brian (Heather), Thomas (Jennifer), Carrie, Sundari (Chad), and Rajan.  They had to keep trying until they got Raj, “the cherry on top.” Together Lee and Suzanne have 20 grandchildren, and 5 and 8/9ths great-grandchildren.  Lee and Suzanne shared a special love of India.  Their youngest two children were born there.  From the architecture, food, and deep history, they love India.

Lee could figure out about anything.  From finishing a basement, to teaching his grandkids to fish, playing the accordion and bass guitar, and everything in between.  If he could read about it,  he could do it.  He was an adventurer that loved his travel and would always try the local fair (even though he usually regretted it.) 

His personal joy came from his callings in the LDS Church, with his favorite as the gospel doctrine teacher.  He was born to research and teach. 

Lee was proceeded in death by far too many, but most importantly three of his children—Shawn, Cathleen, and Brian.

Lee would want to leave us a few magical thoughts from the one and only Jimmy Buffett:

• "If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane."
• "Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been."
• "It takes no more time to see the good side of life than the bad."

 A private Family and close friends Service will be held Friday September 8, 2023 at 12:30 at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah 84041

Interment will be held  at 2:00 p.m. at the Ben Lomond Cemetery, 526 E 2850 N, North Ogden, UT 84414

----A small lunch will be served at a park close by following----