David H. Cope, 75, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley.

    He was born on July 1, 1937 in Balsam, North Carolina, the son of Thomas & Edith (Coward) Cope.   In 1940 the family moved to Sedro-Woolley and there he was raised and attended school, graduating from Sedro-Woolley High school with the class of 1955.

    Dave served his country with the U.S. Marines 1957 through 1963 during the Korean Conflict, and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  After his discharge he returned to Sedro-Woolley where he began a 29 year career with the U.S. Post Office in Sedro-Woolley in 1963, working in mail delivery and as a postal clerk.  He retired in 1992.

    Dave was an avid fisherman, he enjoyed woodworking and making walking canes, enjoyed stump & rock hounding, was a gun collector, and most of all he was a jokester, pulling pranks and telling “colorful” jokes. He enjoyed many times sharing with friends and family at the bakery in Sedro Woolley.

    Dave is survived by his children, Dianne Gardner, of Sedro-Woolley, David W. Cope (Angie) of Arlington, Tom Bowman of Sedro-Woolley and Yolanda “Jo” Byrne (Russ) of Colorado Springs, CO; 7 grandchildren, Trent Gardner, Micky Jensen, Amanda Titmus, Shaylene Titmus, Olivia Cope, Carl (Kalena) Byrne and Kimberly (Jason) Marvel and several great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Margaret Duncan of Sedro-Woolley and Phyllis Birkholz of New Rockford, ND; an uncle John “Raymond” Coward of Sedro-Woolley and numerous special nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Gerald Cope and a sister, Edith “Kookie” Hill.  There will be no services at this time. Memorials are suggested to a charity of your choice.