Donald J.L. Coppedge Sr.

January 23, 1934 - January 7, 2021

*FUNERAL SERVICE LIVE-STREAM: As the service for Mr. Coppedge is PRIVATE, the family has requested a live-stream of the service for those unable to attend in-person. A link will be posted on Mr. Coppedge's "Tribute Wall", and will be active starting just before 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 16th. Donald J. L. Coppedge Sr., age 86, husband of the late Redonia O. (Barr) Coppedge, lifelong resident and champion of Phoenixville, PA, passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2021 in the ManorCare Health Services of King of Prussia. Born on January 23, 1934 in Phoenixville, PA, he was a son of the late Charles and Margaret (Cobert) Coppedge. Donald grew up in downtown Phoenixville and attended elementary school at the Church Street and Gay Street Schools. He went on to Memorial Junior High School and then graduated from Phoenixville High School. Growing up poor, he helped his parents financially by shining shoes to make extra money at the Pennsylvania Railroad station. He also delivered newspapers for the Daily Republican, earning one penny per paper delivered, and set pins at the local bowling alley. Because he lived near French Creek he learned to swim and fish as his favorite childhood activities. He spent a lot of time with his friends playing baseball, which was his true passion. He realized that he was a natural athlete and organized games with his friends. He set his sights on becoming a baseball superstar. During his junior year of high school, he was disappointedly and unexpectedly rejected from the team. Donald faced subtle racism but he did not realize the implications of how it affected his life. For example, he was not allowed to swim in a local pool, and was not allowed to eat at a café. The first time he truly experienced racism was during his class bus trip to Washington D.C., when he was not allowed to eat in the restaurant where his classmates were having lunch. He did not know whether racism was the reason he was rejected from the high school baseball team; however, later in the season, he was asked to rejoin the team and he became the starting pitcher. He graduated high school in 1951. After graduation he became certified as a baseball and basketball official which allowed him to manage and referee games. At a very early age, Donald’s mother insisted that he goes to church every Sunday. Reluctantly, he obeyed his mother which resulted in him becoming a faithful member and Trustee of Grimes AME Church for the rest of his life. His dedication and funds management kept the church solvent through very difficult times. Grimes has thrived for over 100 years. Following graduation from high school, Donald did not have the resources or opportunity to attend college. He tried to find work, but racism impeded his ability to get a job. He took the civil service test yet he was not hired even by the Post Office. He took a job in a factory; but he wanted to succeed in the white collar world. He became interested in working for the Phoenixville YMCA; however, before he could apply, he was drafted into the United States Army. He served at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, Fort Hood, Texas, and in Germany. While abroad, a highlight of his tour was to attend the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels, Belgium. During his tour in Germany, Donald incurred a leg injury while performing army maneuvers. At that time, his commanding officers were having problems with the GIs who would become intoxicated and got into trouble with the local authorities. While Donald was laid up during his injury, his commanders realized he was certified to manage sports activities; therefore, he was tasked with organizing activities for the GIs to keep them on base and out of trouble. After serving his three year term, Donald was transferred stateside, and honorably discharged. Upon his return home, Donald met the love of his life, Redonia Barr. She was handpicked for him by his sister Debbie Mitchel. They married and Redonia became pregnant, which meant his dreams to go to the west coast were put on hold. Around 1960, Donald had a Christian mentor who guided him to take a position in the Youth Program of the YMCA in Phoenixville. His first position was as the Aquatic and Physical Director. With only two children in the program, he realized he had to build up the program and recruit participants. He was excited to form a game plan to increase participation. He realized that in order to signup children, he had to get parents to buy into the program. Donald’s natural charm and sincerity enabled him to convince parents to observe his program. It was not long before the program grew to include swimming lessons, sports events, dances, etc. He was amazed how the parents entrusted him with their children, in spite of the negative racial climate of those days. However, while he was building his program, misfortune struck about a year later. Not feeling well, he was told he needed his tonsils out. Urged to get a second opinion he was diagnosed that he had a brain tumor. It was a miracle that he survived the operation. Because he could not work he could not earn a salary and his wife was pregnant with their second child. What became a defining moment of his life was when the families and members of the YMCA had a “Dollars for Don Dance” and raised $1,000.00 to help his family and pay the medical bills. This generous gesture taught the meaning of community, humanity and self-sacrifice. It started him on the path of charitable giving. Donald worked at the Phoenixville YMCA from 1957 to 1976. True to his spirit, the YMCA enabled him to bring people together and lived to show how to treat others as you want to be treated. Beginning in 1960, he spearheaded a building campaign and served as the main fundraiser for a new pool at Baker Park, the current location of the YMCA on Pothouse Rd. He became so good at fundraising that everyone would affectionately say “when you see Don coming, just take out your wallet and write a check”. From 1970 through 1988, after many years of hard work and dedication, he served as the first African American President, Chief Executive Officer of an independent YMCA. After he retired in 1988, Donald stayed active with the YMCA as a member of their Corporate Board of Directors. Because of his dedication, the YMCA, commemorated Donald by naming the gymnasium the “COPPEDGE GYM”. During his tenure at the YMCA, Donald launched “The Foundations for Growth”, which expanded recreation, health and physical programs for families which focused on growth of volunteer service through community organizations. He also established and expanded affordable housing for low income families, seniors and persons with disabilities originally called “Phoenixville Homes”. Now known as “Petra Community Housing”, the organization was created by the Phoenixville Area Council of Churches in 1994 to provide solutions to the lack of affordable housing in the region. Donald served as President and helped to establish an endowment to ensure continued success for Petra Community Housing. Donald continued to be an ever present force in Phoenixville. It is impossible to acknowledge all his achievements and struggles to service his beloved Phoenixville. But to achieve his goals of inclusion and equity, he became a member of the following boards and community organizations: Chester County Housing Authority (Chairman); Social Concerns (Chairman); New Century Bank; National Association of Colored People (NAACP); Diversity in Action: Habitat for Humanity; Phoenixville Area Interfaith Council; 52 year member of the Kiwanis Club (served as President); Phoenixville Area Progressive Club (Founder/President). As a result of his efforts, Donald was the recipient of the following awards: 2007 Champion of the Community (unsung Hero Award); Phoenixville Area Chamber of Commerce (Citizen of the Year); Phoenixville Area Non-Violence Network (Peacemaker’s Award); Phoenixville Inter-Service Club (Ambassadorship Award); Chester County Community Foundation (Thanks for Caring Award); Springford Rotary Club “Service Above Self” (Don Nelson Memorial Award); Phoenixville YMCA (Humanitarian Award); B’nai B’rith (Citizens Award); Martin Luther King Jr. Award. Donald was a true crusader for the betterment of all Phoenixville citizens, no matter ones race, creed or color. Although he did not care about the color of one’s skin, he acknowledged that Phoenixville was not diverse and sought to bring equity to African Americans to attain fair housing and employment. He also fought tirelessly to bridge the gaps between the haves and have nots. Donald made lifelong, generous friends and confidants who entrusted him and to whom he would give the credit for his successes. However, with all his accomplishments, clearly, his greatest achievement was the love and devotion to his immediate and extended family. He tirelessly cared for Redonia during a most difficult illness and disability. Fittingly his middle name is “Joe Lewis”, a true fighter for the people. Donald is survived by one son, Daniel L. Coppedge of Phoenixville, PA; two grandchildren, Dayon Smith of Brinesville, DE and Jaylyn Lopez of Allentown, PA; his Godchildren, Donna Lynn Harrison of Spring City, PA, Jeffery Coppedge of Jeffersonville, PA, Mary Jane Hemming of Mount Royal, NJ, Ashley Wood of Limerick, PA, Michael Bellamy of King of Prussia, PA and Tim Barr of Norristown, PA; his sister-in-law Joan Coppedge and his brother-in-law Kenneth Mitchell; his wife's siblings, Ellen Bellamy of Phoenixville, PA, Nelson, husband of Louise Barr of Pottsgrove, PA, Judie Keys of Phoenixville, PA, Judy Barr of Phoenixville, and Henry Barr of Bethlehem, PA; and a host of nieces and nephews. Donald was preceded in death by one son, Donald J.L. Coppedge, Jr., and four siblings, Charles Coppedge, Margaret Banks, Richard Coppedge, and Debbie Mitchell. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a public viewing at the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc, 610 South Main Street, Phoenixville, PA on Friday, January 15, 2021 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Masks and social distancing will be required. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. A private service and burial in the Morris Cemetery will take place. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the “Margaret Coppedge Endowment Fund” c/o Grimes AME Church, 338 Morris Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460. Condolences may be made by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Phoenixville.