Don McCoppin celebrates 102nd birthday

Donald Roads McCoppin celebrated his 102nd birthday on Friday, October 9. Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink presented him with a proclamation for his years of community service. His three children and many friends stopped at his home in Hillsboro to extend their greetings and well wishes. On Sunday, his entire family (three children, 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild) celebrated with him at Snow Hill Country Club.

Donald was born on October 9, 1907 in Hillsboro to Roscoe Allen McCoppin and Elsie Mae Roads McCoppin. He married Alma Haines from Peebles on April 6, 1929.  After 68 years of marriage, she passed away in 1997. To their marriage were three children; Francis, Patricia and Donald A. He is now blessed with eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Upon graduating from Hillsboro High School in 1925, he attended Miami University and Wilmington College, where he received a BS degree in education. He later did graduate work at Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati. He attended various seminars on math and sciences, including a week seminar in space science for physics teachers at the University of South Florida.

He spent most of his entire working career in teaching. His first employment was at Tiltonsville, Ohio teaching all eight grades in a one room school. He was then employed at Frankfort, Ohio in 1931, for the next six years teaching

7th and 8th grade math, English, and history.

In 1937, he became the elementary principal at the Highland building in the

Fairfield School District. He continued in that position teaching mathematics and history to 7th and 8th graders until becoming principal at the Fairfield School District high school in Leesburg. At the high school, he taught math, algebra, trigonometry, and geometry until 1953 when he purchased an insurance agency in Leesburg.

He sold the agency in 1962 returning to teaching mathematics and physics at Greenfield McClain High School until his retirement in 1976. At the same time his wife, also a teacher in the Greenfield School District, retired.

Mr. McCoppin then continued teaching mathematics and physics at Southern State College for the next nine years.

Donald McCoppin, during his working years, was always active in community affairs. He is a charter member of The Leesburg Lions Club, former president of the Highland County Board of Health, and twice Master of Masonic Lodge F.& A.M. #78 at Leesburg. He served as President of the Greenfield Teachers Association.

He is a lifelong member of The United Methodist Church, teaching a class in Sunday School for 30 years at Leesburg before moving his membership to Hillsboro in 1972.

He and his wife built their home at 133 Westover Drive in Hillsboro in 1972, and he continues to reside there. He remains active by driving, other outside activities, and reading. He is a lover of music and is an avid Ohio State sports fan.