Frank C. Cope, 59

Frank C. Cope, 59, passed away Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell from his long battle with leukemia.

He was born in Alton, Ill., on May 10, 1945. He grew up in Highland, Ill., where he graduated from Highland High School.

He began his working career as a boilermaker and later changed crafts to become a pipe fitter. With his background, he was able to enter into management as a quality control inspector. He was sent to many countries as a quality control manager.

Frank loved the many adventures that came his way. He rode the camels in Egypt, boated the canals in Thailand, viewed the beauty of the Taj Mahal and dove in the Virgin Islands.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Alvin, Texas.

Frank is survived by his wife, Sandra; and four children by a previous marriage, William, Lorie, Shane and Tabetha; and 10 grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. today at the Columbia Mortuary.

A public reception will be held at the South Fork Saloon at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4.