Frederick Lawrence Copeland

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Frederick Lawrence Copeland announce his passing on Monday, August 7, 2023.

Born on February 20, 1945 in Griffin, GA, he was the son of the late Roberta Tice Copeland and Fred Copeland.

Fred graduated from Griffin High School and enrolled at the University of Georgia in 1963, joining the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and naturally earning the role of president of the chapter in 1966. He loved telling the story of organizing a party where the opening act was the one and only Otis Redding or regaling the tale of a rowdy night in the Phi Delt house with Ike and Tina Turner. He also loved to recall the moment he saw and fell in love with his future wife, Susan, during those days in Athens.

After college Fred began his career as a salesman with Simmons Mattress Company, where his skills as a natural leader with a sharp mind and magnetic personality led to his position as sales manager of Henredon Furniture in Morganton, NC. He found his niche in the furniture business, where his entrepreneurial spirit blossomed. The consummate executive, he was intense, driven, and possessed a keen eye for talent, leading to leadership roles at Drexel Heritage and Masco Corporation. He subsequently started and sold his own furniture upholstery business, Frederick Edward, and later joined his best friend and business partner Darrell Ferguson to create Ferguson Copeland, which they successfully ran together until 2015. They eventually sold the company, but retirement was not Fred’s gig – leading to his numerous custom home construction projects in Charleston and the Caribbean.    

Fred related to and appreciated everyone he encountered, from all walks of life. He was equal parts charm, humor, swagger, and joie de vivre. He had an adventurous spirit and loved exploring places off the beaten path with friends and family. Bouncing around and fishing off the islands of the Bahamas on his aptly named boat, Turn Me Loose, was one of his favorite pastimes. Fred was extremely generous, finding great enjoyment in facilitating moments to create lifetime experiences for those he loved and cared for. He genuinely enjoyed helping young people discover and pursue their passions in life, and he was fiercely dedicated to his two children, Matt and Michael.

Besides his parents, Fred is preceded in death by his sister, Sheri Copeland, and the love of his life, Susan Copeland.

He is survived by his son, Matthew Copeland (Tiffany); daughter Michael Copeland; and grandchildren Madison Barrier Wathen (Alex), Molly Elizabeth Blazer, Tice Lawrence Copeland and Charlotte Michael Copeland.  

A celebration of his life will be held from 1-3pm on Saturday August 19 at Victor’s Steak and Seafood, 39 F John St, Charleston SC.  Fred loved a good party and would be smiling to know that those he loved would be raising a glass and telling a tall tale about his adventures.