John Rhodie Copsey was born August 2, 1922 in Laurel Grove, MD. The second of five children, born to Armistead Arthur Copsey and Daisy Mary (Burch).

He attended schools in St. Mary's County and later moved to Baltimore to live with his mother and to work in the defense industry.

At age 21, he was drafted into the Army and served for three years with the Seventh Division. His first tour of duty was in the Aleutian Islands. After the islands were recaptured from the Japanese he was sent to the East Indies, The Philippines, the Ryukyus and Okinawa. It was from Okinawa that he was to be sent in the first invasion force to Japan, but the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan and his division was diverted with the occupation troops to Korea. He was sent home from there and discharged at Ft. Meade on December 2, 1945. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and two Bronze Stars with arrowhead and World War II Victory Medal.

After his discharge, he was self-employed in the wholesale florist business and auto mechanic and filling stations. He retired and lived at Cedar Lane Apartments in Leonardtown. He had resided at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home since July 1, 2013.

Mr. Copsey is survived by one son, John Robert Copsey; and his sister, Cecelia Borgo of New Hampshire.

Family and Friends will be received to celebrate Mr. Copsey's life on Thursday, April 10, 2014 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. A Funeral Service will begin at 12:30 PM on Thursday, at the funeral home. Interment, with Army Honors, will follow to Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, 29449 Charlotte Hall Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home.