Cope R. Gale, 101

Cope R. Gale passed away March 22, 2021, at the Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene. He was born on Feb. 10, 1920, in Spokane, Wash., to Fulton and Marguerite (Cope) Gale. They moved to Moscow, Idaho in 1921.

Cope attended school in Moscow and graduated high school in 1938. He attended the University of Idaho and Whitman College for two years and served in the Idaho National Guard, Air Force ROTC and the U.S. Navy from 1940 to 1945.

Upon earning his bachelor's degree from University of Idaho, Cope married his college sweetheart, Virginia Keeton, of St. Maries and entered the Navy. He taught school in St. Maries for a year after he was discharged, then returned to Moscow to attend law school. He received his LLB degree in law in 1949.

He was the city attorney for St. Maries and the county prosecutor for both Benewah and Latah counties. In 1954 the family moved back to Moscow where Cope took over Abe Goff’s law practice; and in 1959 he formed a partnership with Lloyd Martinson, and later, Jon Warren.

Cope was a lifetime member of the American Legion in Moscow and Coeur d'Alene and served in leadership positions including state commander, 1974 - 1975. He was also a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge in St. Maries.

He and Virginia had five children: Susan Hopkins of Walla Walla, Wash., Kate Reynolds of Czech Republic, Cope R. Gale, Jr. (Betsy Bybell) of Moscow, Ginny (Steve) Brown of Idaho Falls and Paul (Janice) Gale of Phoenix, Ariz.

After Virginia passed away he married Dawn Koster of Moscow and they moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1985. He welcomed four step children into his family: Mike (Nancy) Koster of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sue (Gary) Dawson of Liberty Lake, Wash., Jody (Tim) Carper of Vancouver, Wash. and Scott (Tami) Koster of Tualatin, Ore.

During retirement, Cope enjoyed golf, traveling and dancing. He was adamant about sports, especially baseball and U of I Vandal football. He loved having coffee and visiting with his friends at the American Legion Post 14 in Coeur d’Alene.

Cope joined the First Christian Church in 2007 and loved the fellowship he shared with others. Cope was an honest, loving, kind-headed family man. Known as "Pops," his loving memories will live on in all of us.

He is survived by his wife, Dawn, at their home in Coeur d’ Alene; his five children; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four step-children; seven step-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, his brother, Fulton Gilbreth “Gib” Gale, Jr., and one grandson.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Schneidmiller Hospice House for their wonderful care of Cope and the family. At Cope's request there will be no funeral services.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to the American Legion Baseball Post 6, P.O. Box 8195, Moscow, ID 83843. This was an important group to Cope, as it encourages and supports the youth of Moscow.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Cope’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.