Dennis Arley Copas, 84, died Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, surrounded by his two children and wife of 51 years.

Dennis was born Sept. 21, 1938, in Rapid City, South Dakota, to Winfield "Scotty" Copas and Wilma "Billie" (Meink) Copas. He was the oldest of four children.

Dennis attended grades first through third at Spearfish Elementary. He moved with his family to Lead where he continued his education and graduated from Lead High School in 1956. After graduating high school, Dennis enlisted in the US Navy. He served from 1956 to 1959 on the U.S.S. Sirius (AF-60) as a machinist's mate.

After bein...