Ronald J Coppersmith

Lifespan: ~January 1939 — ?

Summary

Born to Claude J and Marie Ellen (Bodoh) Coppersmith, fifth of six children. Had a developmental condition — “didn’t grow the same as the rest of us” — and stayed close to his parents throughout his life. Never married.

Traveled with his parents Claude and Marie when they wintered near Benson, Arizona. Worked on classic cars there. Wore horn-rimmed glasses, kept his hair in a ducktail. Typical outfit: gray jeans and a white t-shirt. At family events he’d hover around the kids, skip stones, help set up practical jokes. “No other adult would do that.”

Confirmed alive as of Florence’s death in July 2020 (listed as surviving brother in her obituary). If born January 1939, he would be 87 in 2026.

Relationships

• Parents: Claude J Coppersmith & Marie Ellen (Bodoh) Coppersmith
• Siblings: Dorothy Elaine Coppersmith (1928–2002), Leonard C Coppersmith (1929–2003), Florence (Coppersmith) Challe (1932–2020), Robert Coppersmith (1936–1947), Roger H. Coppersmith (1943–2018)

Sources

• FamilyTreeNow public records (birth ~Jan 1939).
• Sibling obituaries (Roger 2018, Florence 2020) list him as surviving.
• Memoir chapters: “Great-Grandma Coppersmith” (Arizona, classic cars, personality details).

Research Notes

• Possibly still living. No death record found as of April 2026.
• Huntington’s disease is autosomal dominant (50% inheritance) — unclear if Ronald was affected. His developmental condition appears separate/pre-existing.
• After both parents died (Claude 1987, Marie 1998), unclear who he lived with. Possibly Florence in Oregon?