Melvin "Bucky" E. Copp

Melvin “Bucky” E. Copp

1936-2025

Melvin “Bucky” E. Copp, 89, of Lawrence passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Melvin was born on August 27, 1936, in Eudora. He was the son of Melvin A. Copp and Anna G. (Holladay) Copp. Melvin attended various schools around Lawrence. His family lived part of his childhood in the old sandstone house that was located next to Mary’s Lake, south of Lawrence.

Melvin started working at an early age around the family farm and later travelled north on a harvest crew. Upon his return to Lawrence, he worked for Stokely’s where he supervised a crew. Melvin would later start his own business called Copp’s Decorating where he painted and wallpapered many places in Lawrence, especially in the Old West Lawrence homes. Melvin was known as the best paperhanger in the State of Kansas and helped to remodel the Governor’s Mansion in Topeka in the 1960’s and later remodeled the inside of the Thacher home at 1613 Tennessee in Lawrence. Melvin later changed the name of his company to Quality Decorators. After many years, he closed his business and went to work for Gene Fritzel Construction as their main interior decorator. After leaving Gene Fritzel Construction he went to work at Student Housing at the University of Kansas as the Paint Supervisor. He worked there until his retirement.

Melvin enjoyed working on and restoring classic cars and was one of the original founders of the Classic Chevy Club in Lawrence. Usually if you needed a part or a piece for an older Chevrolet, you were sent to him as he probably had at least one, if not more. His pride was his 1935 Master’s Chevrolet, his 1954 Chevrolet and his 1955 Chevrolet hardtop. He was always willing to tell about his current and past vehicles.

Melvin married Virginia Stout on March 19, 1958, they later divorced. He then married Wanda Knapp on June 25, 1965. They also later divorced.

Survivors include: a daughter, Tammy (Jon) Barta; two sons, Terry E. Copp (Linda), Chipley, Florida and Timothy Copp, Lawrence; Grandchildren: Timothy and Tia Barta, Taylor Copp, Maddison Best (Bryce), Hannah Blackburn (Dante Peet), Jacey Davis (Brandon), Jenna Polovin (Neal Huseby), Kricia Morris (Mathew), Leesburg, Georgia; Great-Grandchildren: Berkleigh Best, Ainsley and Gracelyn Blackburn, Azazel Peet, Elijah Polovin, Warren and Dillon Morris and two great-grandbabies coming soon, Brothers: Larry Copp (Linda), Lawrence, Ronnie Copp (Patti), Lawrence; Sisters: Sandy Mock (Dale), Lawrence, Linda Buckner, Lawrence, and Charlotte Vick (Bill), Dardanelle, Arkansas; many nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Luggie.

Melvin was proceeded in death by his parents; Brothers, Marvin, Richard, Gary and Guy; and Sister, Vivian Ryan.

Visitation will be held Monday evening, September 15 from 6:00-8:00pm at Warren-McElwain mortuary and graveside services will be at 10:00am on Wednesday, September 17 at Oak Hill Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to Lawrence Humane Society in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.