Jesse Thomas Copelan, Jr., 84, of Eatonton, passed away at home with his beloved wife of 40 years on November 9, 2025.
Jesse was born July 29, 1941, in Greensboro, Georgia, to the late Jesse Thomas Copelan, Sr., and Cornelia Poss Copelan.
He is survived by his wife, Kaye McLeroy Copelan, his brother, Ray Copelan (Martha); his nephew, Josh Copelan (Adrianne), and their children, Ellie, Jasper and Brock; niece, Stacey Copelan Richardson (Travis), and their children, Copelan and Will; nephew, Johnny Holt (Laura), his children, Erika Stoley, daughter Colbie; Emily Holt, Tad Holt (Kaitlyn), their children, Copelan (Jesse’s namesake) and Ellie Jo; niece, Lori Holt, children Aubrey and Marlee, daughter Addison; nephews, Bill McLeroy, his children Jillian McLeroy and Stella Palmer; Chad McLeroy (Breezy) and daughter, Piper.
Jesse attended Greensboro High School and Georgia Military College.
He was a University of Georgia Double Dawg with an undergraduate degree in Forestry, and he received his Juris Doctor in 1970. He served as Assistant District Attorney and Putnam County Attorney for 18 years. Jesse served two terms as State Representative; three terms as Putnam County State Court Judge, and was appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue as Senior Judge. He practiced law for five years and was an Adjunct Professor at Georgia Military College for three years.
Jesse was widely known for his humble nature, compassion, and sweet spirit. His love of family and overwhelming generosity were attributes that were beyond compare. He was a lover of the land, farming, horses, and his hunting dogs. He adored Kaye, his nieces and nephews, his close friends, and the Georgia Bulldogs! His prize possession was a picture of Kaye from when she was in the first grade, which he carried in his wallet for 40 years.
Funeral services were held at the Historic Sanctuary of Eatonton First Methodist Church, where he was a long-standing member, at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, and a graveside service followed at Greensboro City Cemetery, Greensboro, Georgia. The family received friends for visitation in the Great Hall of the Eatonton First Methodist Church from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Eatonton First Methodist Church, Bible Fellowship Church, Gatewood Schools, or IBM.org (Give Now); Missionary Team: Trey Lancaster; Country: Zimbabwe