Obituary; Douglas D. Copley

Plains, MT:  Douglas D. Copley of Hot Springs, MT passed away July 4, 2015 due to complications of Pancreatic-Liver Cancer at the age of 70.  Doug was born June 7, 1945 to Leo and Hazel Copley of Sandpoint, Idaho.  Graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1963 and joined the U.S. NAVY.  He was stationed in Long Beach, CA and Norfolk, VA on the USS America, CVA 66 and moved to Missoula, MT after the service.  In 1969 he moved to Denver where he completed the Harry C. Longs school of bartending and began a career of mostly working in the food and beverage business for over 35 years in 10 states.   In 1972 Doug returned to Sandpoint and worked in many of the local establishments such as the Edgewater Lodge, Mitzys, the Elk’s Lodge, Green Gables, the Cowgirl Corral, Bert’s Place and the 219 Lounge.  He also bartended in North Dakota, Utah, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Nevada and Minnesota.  Doug enjoyed downhill skiing and mountain biking and making crafts out of driftwood.  He spent 5 years working at the Symes Hotel in Hot Springs, MT until his cancer diagnosis in 2013.  He is survived by his daughter, Allison and granddaughter Maya of Eugene, OR. Brothers Harry Copley of Anaconda, MT. and Larry Copley of Bonners Ferry, ID. and Dennis Copley of Boise, ID.  Sister Linda Hayes of Bonners Ferry, ID.  A family memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences can be left at Sunsethillsfuneralhomes.com. Sunset Hills Funeral Home in Plains, MT are entrusted with the arrangements.