Dates
Dueda McQueen Coppic passed from this life on December 4, 2023, at the age of 88, almost 18 years to the day of the passing of her beloved husband Leroy Coppic.
Dueda was born September 16, 1935, to Price “Jelly” and Emogene McQueen in Wink, TX. Dueda attended Lakeview High School in San Angelo, TX, where she was a two-time inductee into their athletic Hall of Fame for both basketball and track & field. These were the only two sports offered to Lake View girls in the 1950’s.
In basketball, Dueda was named to the All-District team for all four years and led the Lake View Maiden Basketball team to District Championships every year, culminating in a State Championship her junior year in the Golden Girls State Basketball Tournament in 1952.
Dueda competed in three varsity track & field events in her four years at Lakeview. As the lead-off girl in the 4x4 relays, she was able to help the Maidens win four consecutive Bluebonnet Belle Relay titles from 1950 – 1953 and was the High Point individual athlete of the state event for her freshman and senior years. While only standing 4’ 8”, and with a broken toe, she jumped 4’ 6 ¾” to set a new high jump record for the state championship event, and she did it with a scissor style jump with a sand pit in which to land. She also competed in the triple jump.
In her senior year, she was invited to the 1953 National AAU Track & Field Meet in San Antonio, TX, where she proceeded to win 1st place in the baseball throw with an amazing distance of 225’ 7” (75.5+ yards or ¾ of a football field), despite a heavily bandaged ankle. She was also recognized by her classmates her senior year being crowned Queen of Lake View High School. She also played softball in the summer since Lake View did not have a team.
Dueda met her future husband, Leroy Coppic, at the Kiwanis ballpark press box in 1953 while she was scoring a baseball game. He was a highly respected West Texas Coach, and they married on July 2, 1954. She attended San Angelo College for two years. In 1956, both Dueda and her sister were invited to compete in the Texas AAU Track & Field Championship in San Angelo, where she won 1st place in the baseball throw and her younger sister Patsy won 3rd place. She then began working as an ophthalmology assistant for Dr. Richie.
After having her first child, Todd, she then moved to Wichita Falls, TX, and returned to her studies at Midwestern University. She then had her second child, Jay. At the age of 34, she resumed her athletic career and won both the singles and doubles championships in the 1968 Midwestern University Badminton Tournament.
In 1973, Dueda and Leroy relocated the family to Dallas, TX and she continued raising the children. She eventually went back to work as an exercise instructor at the most prestigious health club in Dallas. Here she became a life-long Dallas Cowboys fan. During a visit to San Angelo in 1987, Leroy and Dueda found their perfect retirement place on Lake Nasworthy. In 1990, they retired there and were able to enjoy all the natural wildlife and changing scenery associated with life at the lake.
Dueda was a connoisseur of “fine” Dr. Pepper, seeking out the convenience store that had just the right “fountain mix”, and she considered it an art form. She loved all her many pets over the years, including dogs, cats, rats, ferrets and several birds. She thoroughly enjoyed jogging and walking the mountain trail on Gun Club Rd. and Hillside Dr. at Lake Nasworthy. Dueda was an avid reader of the San Angelo Standard-Times. One of her favorite past-time activities was a spirited game of ping pong using her special sandpaper paddle while listening to “soft rock” music.
Dueda was a wonderful wife, and loving mother who had many life-long friends. She was a homebody who enjoyed spending time in the yard and at the lake. She was a proud Christian, believed in her faith and was affectionately referred to as “Dueda True Heart” by her children for her kindness, big heart, and generous nature. She saw the goodness in everyone.
The family wants to express a special appreciation for the support, care and long-time companionship provided by Robin Brokaw to Dueda and her beloved Baby Ruth up until their passing.
She was preceded in death by her beloved Chiweenie, Baby Ruth. Dueda is survived by her two sons, Todd Coppic (Krista Land) of Treasure Island, FL, and Jay Coppic (Betty Coppic) of Destin, FL. She leaves behind nephews Mike and Mark Perry and niece Margie Perry McGuire and many innumerable friends.
In keeping with Dueda’s wishes, there will be no public services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
West Texas Boys Ranch Foundation: https://www.wtbr.org/
Concho Valley Paws: https://cvpaws.org/give/
The family wants to express their appreciation for all the love, comfort, kindness, and support given during this time of sorrow and loss. She will be missed.