Craig Charles Coppage, 53, of Claremore, Okla., passed away on May 25, 2023, surrounded by his family.
Craig was born on May 15, 1970, to F. Greg Coppage and Dianna Adam Coppage, in Fort Madison.
He graduated from Fort Madison High School where he excelled at sports, particularly cross country, track and baseball. His performances at state cross country meets were the highlights of his high school years. He was forever proud of being a Bloodhound.
Craig earned his Mechanical Engineering Technology degree at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. During college, he worked at Eskimo Joe’s and Zio’s restaurants where he loved cooking and interacting with people. Many of his lifelong friendships were made during these years. Ever loyal, the OSU Cowboys became one of his favorite teams to follow.
His career centered around problem solving mechanical issues with school bus production in Tulsa.
Craig followed the Dallas Cowboys, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Iowa Hawkeyes religiously. An ideal weekend for Craig would be cooking and watching the game with friends and family. Only “deer camp” with his dad and friends might top a sports weekend.
Yet Craig’s biggest love in life was his children. They are truly what kept him going. He wanted to create an adventurous childhood for them and hosted many sleep-overs, Halloween parties and days cruising in the boat on Oologah Lake. Like any of his beloved Louis L’Amour novels, he wanted to be the hero in their lives.
Craig is preceded in death by his father, Greg Coppage.
Craig is survived by his children, Kennedy Coppage and Adam Coppage; his mother, Dianna Coppage; his sisters, Deb and Laura (Wes Rettig) Coppage; six nieces and nephews, and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.
A burial service and Celebration of Life will be held Oct. 28 in West Point, Iowa.
Craig will be greatly missed for his big heart and his sense of fun and adventure.The only consolation in losing him too soon is knowing that he is at peace.
