John “Steve” Copland (75), a much-loved father and adored friend, passed away after a brief illness on January 7, 2024. Steve was born the eldest of five children on March 10, 1948, to John and Juliette Copland of Madera. A graduate of Madera High (‘66) and Fresno State University, Steve spent over 40 years helping his community as a partner at Seabury, Copland & Anderson, an independent insurance agency his father (and mentor) co-founded in 1939. Following his recent retirement, Steve was very proud that his son John would continue their legacy as the 3rd generation to lead the family business.
Steve took great pride in being a Maderan and showed it daily, even collecting roadside litter, returning shopping carts, or hand-painting over graffiti. He lived his life with a deep sense of civic responsibility. He participated in numerous municipal activities, from acting as a founding member of the Madera Downtown Association to sitting on the board of the Madera Arts Council.
Steve was a natural mentor to many, especially his daughter Tricia, who followed in his footsteps of community service and leadership. Never one for making a fuss, he was reluctantly showered with various accolades, including Elk of the Year, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and being honored as the Grand Marshall of our Old Timers’ Day Parade. In his own words, he was always doing what he thought was “right and what would benefit the community as a whole, without an attaboy.”
Steve’s self-declared proudest achievement was, by far, his family. His three children meant the world to him, and he expressed time and time again how proud he was. To us, he was the most generous, dependable, funny, humble, attractive, resilient, wise, stubborn man who was proud and selfless. He was our mentor, our rock, our go-to for everything. He made us feel connected and secure, and we frequently laughed until we cried. Steve always focused on ensuring everyone around him lived their entire life.
An avid outdoorsman, Steve sincerely enjoyed nature and was dedicated to preserving wetlands and wildlife. He was a founding member of the Sand Lake duck hunting club, a source of lifelong friendships Steve treasured even more than the hunting itself. He was overjoyed that the Copland legacy of sportsmanship would live on through his children and grandchildren.
Steve will be remembered fondly for his storied pastimes, including acts of discrete generosity, telling tales that made you cry laughing and buying rounds for the whole bar. He cherished spending time at the family cabin in Sugar Pine or the coast and loved road trips - especially his father-daughter adventures with Christina as they laughed and bar crawled through various states or countries. The countless stories and memorable moments, for those lucky enough to have shared them, are not necessarily fit-for-print but will live on as Maderan folklore.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Copland, brother-in-law Peter Oliver, and sister-in-law Dianne Copland. Steve’s legacy lives on through his children, Tricia Protzman and her husband, Rocky, John Copland and his wife, Janice, and Christina Checket and her husband, Mike. He was an incredibly proud grandfather of five grandchildren, Andrew and Kimberly Copland, Steven Protzman, Blake and Colton Checket, and his two great-grandchildren, John and Jacelyn Copland. He was the beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was also survived by his sister Monica Wade and her husband Bill, sister Chris Oliver, and brother Jim Copland.
A celebration of life in honor of Steve will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Jay’s Chapel, followed by a reception at the Elk’s Lodge. In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve’s name can be made to Wounded Warriors, Ducks Unlimited, Madera Historical Society, or your favorite watering hole, where you are encouraged to tie a few on and share those not-fit-for-print stories of the great Steve Copland.
