Jerry Kopel, who served as Colorado State Representative for 22 years, passed away Jan. 21, 2012. Rabbi Eliot Baskin officiated at the private interment held Jan. 24 at Emanuel Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
A celebration of life memorial will be held at a later date. Details are at www.jerrykopel.com.
Jewish values informed his career, particularly his dedication to standing up for the rights of the underdog, the family said.
Mr. Kopel was born June 16, 1928, in Baltimore, Md.
He was the Colorado State representative from Denver for 22 years and was the only Jewish person in the legislature for many years.
Mr. Kopel and his wife Delores practiced law together in the firm of Kopel & Kopel.
They also ran the Colorado Bar Refresher, which helped law students prepare for the bar exams.
In his retirement, Mr. Kopel was an award-winning political columnist for the Colorado Statesman.
He played the piano throughout his life, entertaining friends and family with the classics of the mid-20th century. He also recorded over a dozen albums.
Mr. Kopel is survived by Delores, his wife of 59 years; son David Kopel; and grandchildren Kathleen, Margaret and Andrew.
Contributions may be made to the Denver Public Librarys Western History Collection, the repository for his papers.
Copyright © 2012 by the Intermountain Jewish News
