Jerry Copenhefer Dies At 69

By SpaceCoastDaily // March 19, 2013

OBITUARY

Jerry Copenhefer, 69, of Orlando, Florida, passed away Sunday, March 10, 2013, from a rare malignant brain tumor (PNET).

After surviving colon cancer a decade prior, in June 2012, he battled the new cancer for months, undergoing surgical procedures, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Although he knew of his condition, he still wanted to get up every morning and continue his daily rituals of going to work, reading the newspaper, and enjoying dinner with his beloved wife, Trudy. Jerry knew he wasn’t going to let a little thing called “Peanut” ruin his day. However, his health degraded, and he could only be strong for so long. Jerry died peacefully, surrounded by the love of his friends, family, and puppy named Mon Ami.

Jerry was born April 8, 1943 in Troy, Ohio to Carl and Doris (Davis) Copenhefer. He graduated from Troy High School in 1961 and from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology in 1965, with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.

Following his graduation from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, he was employed by the General Motors Corp. in Indiana as a Process Engineer. He later took over the family business as Vice President and Operations Manager of Carl’s Meats, Inc. in Ohio where he cultivated hands-on management experience in supermarket industry knowledge.

In 1971, he became employed by what has become known as the Defense Commissary Agency (DECA) for more than 41 years. He worked various assignments throughout the world including Germany, Hawaii and various locations within the continental United States. During that time, Jerry also became the founder and CEO of Hawaiian Ice Company in Oahu, Hawaii. He enjoyed travelling, European cuisine, his cognac and a fine cigar. Although he was an avid deep sea fisherman and golfer, he spent most of his weekends working on his “honey do” list.

Jerry is survived by his wife Trudy of 41 years, two daughters, Amy Breisch and her husband Scott of Troy, OH and Jill Blumberg of Cincinnati, OH, his son, Mark Pye and his wife Abelina of Orlando, FL, and eight grandchildren. Jerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to all.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution be made in memory of Jerry Copenhefer. Please send memorial donations to the MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, 3160 Southgate Commerce Blvd, Suite 50, Orlando, Florida 32806 or call Ms. Iris Diaz at 321-841-5836.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30 pm, Saturday, March 23, at South Patrick Chapel, 84 Harrier Street, Satellite Beach, FL 32937. Chaplain Jason Gunnels will be officiating. Burial at Sea will follow at Cape Canaveral aboard the Obsession II.

Those wishing to sign Jerry’s guestbook may do so at BeachFuneralHome.com

Beach Funeral Homes & Cremation Services
1689 S. Patrick Drive
Indian Harbour Beach, Florida 32937
TEL: 321-777-4640
E-MAIL: info@beachfuneralhome.com