Charles Albert McCoppin, age 92, of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society. Charles was born March 23, 1931, in Stockton, California, the son of Dr. Charles and Grace (Hidy) McCoppin. He was raised in California until the untimely death of his father, when his mother moved them back to northwest Missouri. Charles graduated from Maysville High School in Maysville, Missouri. Growing up he was known as "Bobby". He excelled in basketball and was named conference Most Valuable Player his senior year. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, but his service was interrupted by a collapsed lung during boot camp, and he was honorably discharged. Returning to Missouri, Charles enrolled in college. In 1953, a blind date his sister set up changed his life. Wedding bells soon followed. He was united in marriage to Mary Ellen White and five children were born to this union. While working to support his family, he graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia with a BS Degree in Agriculture.

Farming was Charlie's passion. He and Mary set out to find a good farm to start their life. With the help of his aunt, Grace McCoppin, the couple purchased the Inman Farm just east of Red Oak, where they have resided since. He spent his life building, improving, and growing his farming operation, constantly looking for more land to acquire or how to better his practices. Things were not always easy, and they faced real hardships along the way. A farm sale in the 1960's saved having to sell their land and in the 1980's more challenges were weathered. Over the course of his career, Charlie did it all: farrowed and finished pigs; ran a calf cow operation; fed out feeder calves; and raised and rotated a variety of crops. Through it all, Mary was by his side as his partner, and often substituted for a hired hand. The McCoppins were honored with a conservation award for their dedication to conservation practices. Charlie was also a past member of the Extension Council. Charlie always had a basketball hoop in the yard. Before coming in for meals, he would shoot baskets to unwind.

Aware of the importance of education, Charles taught a class to veterans from Vietnam to help them learn to be better farmers. He served on the Red Oak Community School Board of Directors in the 1960's, when the new high school was built, and again in the 1980's.

Charles had a deep faith that guided him his whole life. While a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he was called to the priesthood and served the Shenandoah congregation as Elder. He spent many hours studying scripture and always sought to learn more. The love of chocolate may have been his only vice, and he would slide the box of Russell Stovers under his chair at Christmas, rather than share it.

Never much on traveling, Charlie and Mary were content to enjoy their home and farm, although he enjoyed the Rocky Mountains the two times they went and one trip to California.

The couple raised five children on the same farm where they lived for 67 years. When thinking about needing a more accommodating residence when aging, they chose to add on to their home (because they liked it), rather than buying a different house in town.

Charles had a gentle spirit, with a warm and kind smile, that people appreciated and enjoyed.

Preceding Charles in death were his parents; stepfather: Grover Price; aunt: Grace McCoppin; son-in-law: Michael "Mike" McDonald; and granddaughter: Olivia McCoppin. Survivors include his wife of 70 years: Mary McCoppin; sons: Scott McCoppin and wife Pam of Omaha, NE; Rex McCoppin of St. Louis, MO; and David McCoppin of Auburn, NE; daughters: Suzanne McDonald and Dave Bowen of Malvern, IA and Janet Norris and husband James of Red Oak, IA; 16 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren: Zach and Kristin McCoppin and Maddox, Marley, and Lennon; Brock and Kayla McCoppin and Casey; Megan and Josh Kendrick and Mason, Grace, and Lyla; Michael and Julia McDonald and Lane, Clarke, and Jamie; Katie and Lucus Stevens and Fiadh and one on the way; Jacob and Taylor Norris and Navy, Crosby, and Blythe; Joey Norris and Samantha Williams; Jill Norris; Corrine McCoppin; Elmo Morris; Eli McCoppin and Emma, Addilyn, and Norah; John McCoppin; Thomas McCoppin; Sophia McCoppin; Hannah McCoppin; and Isaac McCoppin; sister: Sue Rupp; and many other relatives friends.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Friday, December 22, 2023, at the new location of Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel at 1995 G Ave. in Red Oak, Iowa. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Montgomery Soil and Water Conservation District.

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.