by Teresa Eubanks, CLJNews.com
CALHOUN CO., FL – A July 4th family outing at Mossy Pond ended tragically when a Blountstown man drowned after he went out into deep water.
Timothy A. Copeland Jr., 35, was with his wife, Terra, and their two children Saturday afternoon, enjoying time together when he decided to swim out farther from the shore. She was along the shoreline with the children when she looked up and saw him swimming back from far out in the water. Then he disappeared.
“I’ve been going out there all my life, but I never realized there was a deep drop-off,” Terra said, describing a lengthy shallow area that’s about knee-deep before it gives way to deeper water. She said her husband was found in water about 15 to 20 feet deep.
Including her family, there were about 10 people in the area when she lost sight of him. “There were five people trying to save my husband. I remember seeing one man running out there. Everybody was trying to help,” she said. “Once I realized he wasn’t coming back, I took the baby and my four-year-old daughter up the hill to the car,” she said. A older child stayed with them as she returned to the search area.
Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Lonnie Baker arrived after the Mossy Pond Fire Department and backed his patrol truck down to the shoreline. “It took them about 20 minutes to find him,” he said, explaining that the missing man was about 40 yards out. Rescuers put Timothy in the bed of the truck and Baker drove out from the sandy area and up to meet the ambulance. The unconscious man was rushed to the emergency room in Blountstown, but it was too late.
“My husband could swim,” his wife said, but she noted that he had some prior health issues with his lungs. She said with distance he was swimming, “maybe he got winded.” She added, “The doctor seemed to think he had sucked in a lot of water.”
She expressed appreciation for those who tried to help, noting, “All attempts were made to save my husband. Thank you to all of you who helped. I am forever thankful.”
Now, as the family prepares to lay him rest at Hugh Creek Cemetery Friday, she is concerned that what happened to her husband could happen to someone else.
“We need to focus on what they need out there,” she said. “They need somebody at that substation and they need a warning sign – like at Camel Lake. The drop-off is a big issue that should be addressed.” She stressed it’s important that safety measures are taken as soon as possible to prevent another death.
Timothy leaves behind his wife, seven children, five siblings and many other relatives, including his cousin, Sgt. Baker, who recalled that Timothy was a great athlete at Blountstown High School and excelled on the football field.
A public viewing will be held at Adams Funeral Home beginning at 9:30, with services to follow at 11 a.m.
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