John P Kopsky

KOPSKY, JOHN P. JR. passed away on 9/9/15 peacefully and confident in his Catholic faith, including the Last Sacrament. He was born 8/18/37, to John and Ellen Kopsky in St. Louis, Missouri. After graduation from Christian Brothers College High School (Clayton, Missouri) in 1955, he attended and graduated with a bachelor degree from Christian Brothers College (Memphis, Tennessee).

In 1968, John moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, from Chicago to work at Telex Computer Products. His career as an Electrical Engineer also included work for Clay Bernard Systems, Smith & Nephew, World Com, Postal Technologies and Applied Technic and as his own entrepreneur. Some of the products John helped develop include the electrical systems in the Apollo Moon Capsules, the pneumatic tubes at bank drive-thrus, storage systems that became the foundation for databanks that drive today’s internet, endoscopes used in colon and heart procedures, high efficiency oil well equipment, and the electrical designs of several industrial buildings in the Tulsa area.

He was a life long learner. He took numerous classes at Tulsa Junior College to stay current on technology skills and gain new skills such as accounting. He began a Master’s Degree in computer programming at the age of 63. He was endlessly curious and loved trying new things.

John loved sports and the outdoors. He played high school football, baseball and basketball. In college he played club hockey. As an adult he was an avid runner, swimmer and cyclist. In 1979, John was a founding member and organizer of the Tulsa Master Swim Club where he held numerous leadership positions over the years. He helped promote the first Triathlons in Oklahoma. He was a United States Cycling Federation licensed official. He coached baseball and soccer and was active in his children’s scout programs.

He will be remembered most as a devoted family man with a tremendous sense of humor. John is survived by his wife Sarah Lynn Kopsky, former spouse, Laura Jean Kopsky, and five children and spouses, Theresa Kopsky-Cardwell, Deborah Good, Sharon Schumann (John Schumann), John P. Kopsky, III (Melissa Kopsky) and William Kopsky (Liz Smith). He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Alice Kopsky and by eight grandchildren, Katrina Cardwell, Jonathan Cardwell, Ryan Schumann, Austin Schumann, Gabrielle Kopsky, Nathan Kopsky, Izzy Kopsky and Elliott Kopsky. He also has a great grandson, several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He lived life to the fullest and was an example to all who knew him.

Service will be held at 10am Saturday, 9/12/15 – Schaudt’s Glenpool Funeral Service, 719 E. 141st Street, Glenpool, OK. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your charity of choice.

Arrangements were entrusted to Schaudt’s Glenpool Funeral Service & Cremation Care. Family and friends may view the obituary and send condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com