Joseph (Joe) V. Copp, Jr., 83, of Rockledge, Fla., left this world on December 9, 2022. He was born on August 9, 1939, to Joseph V. Copp, Sr. and Naomi Thankful Hamby Copp in Topeka, Kan.
 Joe attended Topeka High School where he was an outstanding athlete and an impressive scholar, was a graduate of Washburn University and a member of the honorary math society Kappa Mu Epsilon. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Immediately after graduation, Joe began a lifetime career in the space field at Cape Canaveral where he was still employed at the time of his death
 He is predeceased by his parents and sisters, Jolene Bowers, Marge Whelan and Nadine Gies. Joe is survived by his wife of 34 years, Georganne Copp; daughter, Liesa Copp Payne of Englewood, Fla.; sister, Darlene (James) Wyrsch of Blue Springs, Mo.; brother, Harry Copp of Dallas, Texas; and step-granddaughter, Casey Crumb of Florida.
 His family will receive family and friends from 5 – 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Meyers Funeral Chapel, 1600 W. Main St, Blue Springs. Memorial service will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the chapel. Memories of Joe and words of comfort for his family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.