Tom Copeland

Thomas L. Copeland (born April 17, 1924) is an American former politician from Washington.

Tom Copeland
Copeland in 1967
35th Speaker of the Washington House of Representatives Acting
In office March 12, 1970 – January 11, 1971
Preceded by	Don Eldridge
Succeeded by	Thomas A. Swayze Jr.
Speaker pro tempore of the Washington House of Representatives
In office January 9, 1967 – January 8, 1973
Preceded by	Avery Garrett
Succeeded by	John L. O'Brien
Minority Leader of the Washington House of Representatives
In office January 11, 1965 – January 9, 1967
Preceded by	Daniel J. Evans
Succeeded by	John L. O'Brien
Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 11th district
In office January 14, 1957 – January 8, 1973
Preceded by	Lester L. Robison
Succeeded by	A. N. “Bud” Shinpoch
Personal details
Born	(1924-04-17) April 17, 1924 Pendleton, Oregon, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Donna Edwards (m.1973–present) Dolly Doble (m.?–1970; her death)

Copeland was born to Edwin and Delia Copeland in Pendleton, Oregon. He served in the United States Army during World War II, serving in Europe as a tank destroyer commander. After the conclusion of the war, he stayed with the Army as an administrator and was eventually promoted to captain.[1] He is an alumnus of Washington State University, where he majored in agricultural engineering.

Copeland was elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1957, for District 11, which encompassed the counties of Asotin, Columbia, Garfield and parts of Walla Walla. He is a Republican. He served until 1972; during his time he served stints as Whip (1961, 1963), Minority Leader (1965), and Speaker pro tempore (1967–1972).[2] In 1972, he retired to run for the Washington State Senate, however he was unsuccessful in his election, later opting to retire from politics.[3]

He was married to Dolly Doble, whom he met at college, until her death in 1970. They had three children. In 1973, he married Donna Edwards; the couple lives in Arizona.[1]