Virgil Cope

Cope, Dr. Virgil William - Age 80, of Grand Blanc, died March 11, 2023 due to Parkinson's Disease and Parkinson's related dementia. A Celebration of Life will be held 11 AM Saturday, March 18 at Sharp Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6063 Fenton Road, Grand Blanc. Visitation will be held 2-7 PM Friday March 17, and 10-11 AM Saturday March 18. In lieu of flowers those desiring may make contributions to the Virgil Cope Chemistry Equipment Acquisition and Maintenance Endowment Fund.

Virgil was born February 4,1943 in Storm Lake, Iowa, the son of Ernest LaVern Cope and Fern Loretta (Peterson) Cope. He graduated from University of Northern Iowa in 1965 with a degree in Chemistry. He furthered his education at Kansas University earning his PhD in 1968. He married Sheryl Davids on January 30, 1965. He worked for the University of Michigan-Flint for 36 years as a chemistry professor. He was department chair for a number of those years. While at U of M he developed the Environmental Chemistry Program which was later incorporated into the Green Degree in Chemistry. He enjoyed gardening, and traveling through the United States, visiting all 50 states, and also many foreign countries. He enjoyed reading, golf, and most importantly his family.

Surviving are: wife of 58 years Sheryl; two children, Douglas Cope, Laura Cope (Tracy Carlson); two grandchildren, Trevor Cope (fiancée Emery Zuc), and Andrianna Cope; great-granddaughter (just born March 10 this year) Georgia Macklin Cope; sister Vivian Hersom; brother Stanley (Joyce) Garton; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother Richard (Ruth) Cope.

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com