Celebrating the Life of Mark Copeland
Jan. 13, 1963 - Sept. 11, 2007
 Mark Copeland 1963-2007 |
Funeral Arrangements Donations UPDATE
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WRAL-TV has lost one of its beloved former photographers and long-time friends. Mark Copeland died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Florida on Tuesday, September 11, 2007. He was 44.
Copeland came to WRAL-TV in 1987 where he spent 12 years as News Photographer. He then ventured out on his own as freelance photographer in 1999 but kept a close relationship with WRAL-TV and his friends here.
“Mark loved news,” said WRAL-TV News Director Rick Gall. “He loved to shoot. He also loved to fly. He put in many hours aboard Sky5.”
Tragically, Copeland died while working on a freelance assignment for a boating magazine. He was on board a helicopter which went down, killing him and a second man and seriously injuring the pilot.
 Copeland joined the WRAL team in 1987 and became an integral part of the local TV family. |
“Mark LOVED to shoot,” said close friend and former WRAL photographer Joe Frieda. “The only thing in life he loved more was shooting out of a helicopter. So, the solace I take out of his tragic death was that he died doing the two things in life he loved the most.”
Copeland originally worked in WRAL’s Wilson Bureau before moving to Raleigh. He ended up covering a variety of events during his tenure at WRAL-TV. “He loved to travel and was the first to volunteer for an out-of-state or out-of-country shoot,” said Gall.
His assignments included some of the most historic at WRAL-TV. Copeland was part of the station’s first crew to cover Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He traveled with David Crabtree to cover Mother Teresa's funeral in Calcutta, India, in 1997. He also was part of the HD coverage of John Glenn's shuttle flight. Copeland was a regular on Football Friday as the shooter with WRAL-TV Sports Anchor Bob Holliday for several years
 Copeland captured some of the biggest events in WRAL history with his camera. |
“He LOVED to fly in Sky 5 and was one of the best aerial photographers to ever work here,” said WRAL-TV Documentary Photographer Jay Jennings.
“Whether it was breaking news, a hurricane, covering a war, or a local fire, Mark always got the pictures,” said WRAL-TV Anchor David Crabtree.
Copeland grew up in Oak Ridge, near Knoxville, TN.
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“If someone ever mentioned anything about Tennessee, Mark would shout out, ‘I'M FROM TENNESSEE!’” said Frieda. “Mark loved his family in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. No matter how busy he got, he frequently made the six hour drive to see his family. You didn't have to be around him long before he would start telling you stories about them, his wonderful hometown and the state champion high school football team he played on.”
Copeland is survived by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. David Copeland of Tennessee. Funeral details are pending. Stay tuned to capcom for details as they become available.
“Mark was one of the best shooters to ever walk through the doors of WRAL,” said Jennings, who hired Copeland at the station. “But more importantly, he was one of the best people to ever work at the Big 5. This is a sad, sad day.”
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| Mark Copeland will be remembered fondly by everyone at WRAL-TV and CBC. | |
| CBC REMEMBERS MARK COPELAND: When capcom went in search of comments and memories about Mark Copeland from some of his former co-workers at WRAL-TV, the response was overwhelming. Copeland clearly left a permanent and indelible mark on the many friends he made in the family of WRAL. Here are several of the poignant stories shared about this kind and amazing man who left life all too soon. |
WRAL-TV Anchor/Reporter Bill Leslie
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WRAL-TV Documentary Photographer Jay Jennings I hired Mark back when I was chief photog. He originally worked in the Wilson Bureau with Leslie Boney before moving to Raleigh. He had some great assignments in his days here at WRAL. … He LOVED to fly in Sky 5 and was one of the best aerial photographers to ever work here.
Mark was one of the best shooters to ever walk through the doors of WRAL. But more importantly, he was one of the best people to ever work at the Big 5. This is a sad, sad day. |
| WRAL-TV News Photographer John Cox Cox became one of Copeland's closest friends when the two worked together a WRAL-TV, a friendship that remained tight up until Copeland's death. Cox shares his memories in a poignant tribute. It's beautiful piece, and you can read it here. |
| WRAL-TV Sports Anchor Bob Holliday Copeland spent many a Friday night with Bob Holliday, covering local high school football games for WRAL. Holliday shares his stories here. |
| WRAL-TV Anchor Lynda Loveland Mark was the first friend I made when I came to WRAL. He helped me find a place to live. People who knew Mark knew he had a thing about keeping his vehicle clean. We used to wash our cars at his house on the weekends. His vehicles were always spotless. In fact he kept a little towel on the floor board to wipe out any dirt or gravel that got tracked onto the floormats, both sides!. Mark truly had a heart of gold. I've never met a nicer guy. As a reporter, you lucked out if you got Mark. He was a great shooter. He really thought stories through and offered invaluable advice. |
| Former WRAL-TV Reporter Tom Lawrence I worked many stories with Mark. Lots of crime and general assignment...but I recall traveling early one morning from Raleigh to Fort Bragg where we were to cover President Clinton's visit to injured soldiers at Womack Army hospital following the tragic mid air collision of a jet fighter and a C-130 transport. The wreckage of the fighter torn through gathered paratroopers killing many and spewing flaming fuel on many more. Once at Bragg...Mark was chosen by the Army PAO to be the lone pool videographer for all media. That meant I was alone, but Mark shot the video...did an oustanding job and worked closely with me to get my package and live shot done while seeing to it that every other TV outlet, CNN included...got a dub of what he shot. He was a consumate professional and a great guy. I shall, like his other former co-workers, miss him. |
| Former WRAL-TV Photographer Joe Frieda wrote a piece about Copeland that is so heart-felt that capcom wanted to share every word of it. Read Frieda's complete tribute here. |
| WRAL-TV Documentary Producer Clay Johnson worked with Copeland on many freelance projects. Johson shared some funny and warming stories about the wonderful friend he lost. Read Johnson's tribute here. |
Additional Tributes |
| More memories from WRAL friends will be posted as they become available. Please check back. And if you have stories or comments to share, please contact CBC Corp. Communications Specialist Andrea Osborne at aosborne@cbc-raleigh.com. |
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| May you capture the heavens on your steadicam, Mark. | |