Dennis Arley Copas, 84, passed away Friday September 1, 2023, surrounded by his two children and loving devoted wife of 51 years.
Dennis was born September 21, 1938, in Rapid City to Winfield “Scotty” Copas and Wilma “Billie” (Meink) Copas. He was the oldest of four children.
Dennis attended grades first through third at Spearfish Elementary. He moved with his family to Lead where he continued his education and graduated from Lead High School in 1956. Dennis enlisted in the US Navy. He served from 1956-1959 on the U.S.S. Sirius (AF-60) as a Machinists Mate.
After being discharged from the US Navy, Dennis attended trade school for auto mechanics at Southern State College. Upon graduating in 1961, Dennis worked at Eddies in Deadwood and Junek’s in Spearfish. In 1962, he moved to Seattle, WA to work for Boeing. Dennis discovered big city life was not for him and returned to Deadwood and worked at Hills Motors from 1962-1963. In 1964, he attended Black Hills State University and later transferred to SSC and received his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1967. From 1966-1969 Dennis taught auto mechanics at SSC. He returned to Deadwood once again and worked at Deadwood Ford from 1969-1976.
Dennis operated his own shop under the name of Meink Brothers’ Repair outside of Spearfish on his uncle’s farm from 1977-1988. In 1988 he moved his family to Faith where he began teaching for Northwest Area Schools as the Basic Mechanics teacher. In 1989, Dennis and his family moved to Isabel. He continued teaching for NWAS, moving to a different school each semester until
September 21, 1938 – September 1, 2023
he retired in 2004. When he wasn’t teaching Dennis could be found in his independently owned and operated mechanic shop from 1994-2014.
Dennis married Karon Elaine Gray February 19, 1972.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Karon of Spearfish; son Shannon (Aimee Quinn) Copas of Bismarck, ND, and daughter DeArley (Derrick) Copas Wright of Belle Fourche; brother Wayne “Ozzie” (Karan) Copas and sister Deanna Bowman of Spearfish; grandchildren Aliya and Elizabeth Copas of Bismarck and Tyrian and Bowen “Bo” Wright of Belle Fourche; and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Querida “Rida” Brunson-Petersen.
A military service will be held Friday, September 15, 2023 at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish.