Samuel Copeland

Samuel T. Copeland Jr., age 72, of Erie, died Thursday, July 13, 2017 at home.  Born in Erie, PA on June 6, 1945, he was a son of the late Gertrude Nichols Copeland and Samuel Copeland, Sr.

Samuel graduated from East High School and worked at General Electric, Mace Electric, and the Hammermill Paper Company.  He also worked as a self-defense instructor at Booker T. Washington Center and the John F. Kennedy NATO.  He retired from the WIC Program as a nutritional assistant.

Samuel enjoyed teaching martial arts and opened up a school in 1978 on 11^th and State called Liu Seong Royal Kung-Fu. Master Samuel T. Copeland was inducted in to the G.J.I.M.A.A. Hall of Fame in 1998.  For his tireless dedication to the study and teaching of the martial arts.  For his endless dedication to students and peers.  Through men such as this, the Martial Arts live on for many years to come.  For over 45 years he devoted himself to improving his quality of life through Martial Arts.  Becoming one with himself and nature was his ultimate goal.  His early introduction into the Martial Arts came by way of the late Great Grand Master Gerard V. Durant who introduced him to the late Grand Master Arthur Sikes, who was a student under the late Great Grand Master Liu Seong.  He obtained the rank of 3^rd degree Grand master of the North American Self-Defense Association INC.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Gregory Copeland and sisters Linda B. Copeland and Laverne Ponder (Copeland).

Survivors include daughter Veronica Lyons (Geoffrey), four siblings: Bishop Lawrence (Pamela) Copeland, of Durham, NC, Carmelita (Billy) White, of Erie, Elsie Copeland, of Erie, and Alan (Monique) Copeland, of Los Angeles, CA. He is further survived by his grandchildren: Anthony Copeland Sr. and Aaron Copeland and great-grandson Anthony Copeland Jr. 12 nieces, 9 nephews, 19 great nieces, and 15 great nephews. As well as his special friends and helpers of the family Joann Calabrese and Daniel Harris. We acknowledge all the loyal students whom have supported him throughout his life and in his final days

Friends may call at Word of Life Christian Center on Monday July 17th from 10:00am 10 11:30am with the service to follow at 11:30 with Bishop Clifton McNair officiating.  Burial will be in Erie Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one choice.