Former state lawmaker Copeland dies at 74

Former state Rep. Gene Copeland, a fixture of Bootheel and statehouse politics for nearly 40 years, died Monday in Jefferson City, Mo.

When he retired in 1998, Copeland had served in the Missouri House longer than any other legislator in state history. His 38-year tenure in office will likely never be matched because lawmakers today are limited to eight years in the House under term limits enacted in 1992.

His wife, Ginna Lee Copeland, said he died Monday in his sleep at their Jefferson City home after a year of battling repeated bouts of pneumonia.

He passed his political legacy to his son, Fred W. Copeland, who is a circuit judge for Mississippi and New Madrid counties. In his final years, Copeland split his time between a home in Gulf Shores, Ala., and Jefferson City.

Copeland, 74, was born in 1932 in Cooter, Mo. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956 and was working in real estate and insurance when Democratic powerbrokers in New Madrid County approached him to seek a legislative seat in 1960.

"It was probably the last of the political machines in the state of Missouri," said Jack Pierce, a longtime lobbyist and House staff member who counted Copeland as one of his closest friends. "Mr. [J.V.] Conran had an organization in New Madrid County that controlled the Democratic Bootheel, basically everything south of Cape Girardeau."

Conran screened candidates for local offices, along with an ad-hoc committee, especially in New Madrid County.

Pierce, who is also a Southeast Missouri native, recalls riding with Copeland, the late state Sen. Al Spradling Jr., and others on the weekly trek to Jefferson City during legislative sessions.

During his last 30 years in Jefferson City, Copeland was chairman of the House Banking Committee, a panel that had enormous influence on issues ranging from where banks could place ATMs to the rules governing interstate banks that established branches in Missouri.

"He had the respect of not only the banking industry, but he had the respect of the consumer groups as well," Pierce said. "Although his technical knowledge was very good, his strong suit was his personality and his demeanor."

An honest man

The code of Copeland's legislative life was trustworthiness and accomplishment, Pierce said. "He was honest, and he didn't lie. That goes hand in hand with getting things done."

Former state Sen. John Scott, D-St. Louis and a native of Charleston, Mo., agreed. "His word was good. He was a solid legislator, and when he said he was going to do something, he did it. With term limits, there will never be another one like him."

Those with fond memories of Copeland recalled that his office was a rendezvous for lobbyists and lawmakers in search of each other. "If you needed to see someone to get something done, you went to Gene's office," Pierce said.

Former Gov. Warren Hearnes said one of his proudest achievements was working with Copeland to bring the Noranda Aluminum plant to New Madrid County during his term as governor from 1965 to 1973. "I am really going to miss him," he said.

A man of food

Former state Rep. Betty Hearnes, a Charleston Democrat and wife of Warren Hearnes, also recalls riding along with Copeland during the legislative sessions when she served from a neighboring district in the 1980s. The Thursday drives home were about business, she said, but the Monday morning returns to work were about food.

"His idea of exercise was twiddling his thumbs," Hearnes said. "And he couldn't resist any food. Warren and I were laughing about that. When we went back on Mondays, they would all talk about everything they cooked over the weekend."

Copeland survived several shifts in the Southeast Missouri political landscape. When he first won election, every county had at least one House member regardless of population. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1964 forced the state to make population a factor in legislative districts, and Copeland continued to thrive politically as his district grew.

The Bootheel was dominated by Democrats at that time, but they weren't classic liberals by any stretch, Pierce said. "A Southeast Missouri Democrat at that time was more conservative than a St. Louis Republican."

Copeland faced only one strong primary contest, in 1976. But in 1996, after 16 years of GOP gains in Southeast Missouri, Copeland faced a strong challenge from Charleston Republican Lanie Black. In that race, Copeland defeated Black by 1,166 votes in a race tarred by accusations that voters in predominantly black precincts of Charleston, Mo., had sold their votes for $1 coupons redeemable at a convenience store for beer.

In the end, a single campaign worker was convicted of distributing the coupons and placed on probation. While his name was frequently the subject of news articles about the coupons, Copeland was not charged.

Gubernatorial praise

Gov. Matt Blunt issued a statement praising Copeland. "My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Gene Copeland," Blunt said. "He made a number of important contributions to Southeast Missouri, especially in the areas of agriculture and water transportation. Melanie and I extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones."

In addition to his wife and son Fred Copeland, he is survived by two other sons, Doug Whitehead, of Jefferson City and Jason Whitehead, of Charlotte, N.C.; two daughters, Lisa Saettele and Leslie Ann Copeland, both of St. Louis; 11 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Visitation is planned for 3 p.m. Wednesday at Freeman Mortuary in Jefferson City followed by a memorial service there at 4 p.m. A memorial service also is planned for Friday in New Madrid.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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