Retired SFC Carlos Aurelio Coppin Obituary

Funeral service for Retired SFC Carlos Aurelio Coppin, 75 of Killeen, TX will be held Friday, October 10, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, TX. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow the service at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX. 

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 9, 2025 (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.) at the funeral home. 

Services will be livestreamed via Zoom, click link below to view:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82989479253?pwd=NaPGgaFX4cref1Ubsbt6gbHbkhmIre.1#success
Please note that link will not be live and active until 10:45 a.m.

CARLOS AURELIO COPPIN was born on December 14, 1949, in Colón, Panama, to Elisia Mercedes Maxwell Coppin and Blair Alfonso Coppin. He was raised with strong values of discipline, service, and family which guided him throughout his life.

Carlos graduated from Colegio Abel Bravo and later completed Electrician School working for Panama City Power and Light Company in 1969. He became a residential contract electrician in 1970 before relocating to Brooklyn, New York, where he enlisted in the United States Army in November of 1975. He completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Dix, NJ, and began a distinguished military career that spanned 30 years, culminating in his retirement on November 24, 2005.

Throughout his service, Carlos held the roles of 31U Signal Support Systems Specialist and 11B Infantryman. His assignments took him across the globe: Fort Bragg, North Carolina (1976); Fort Clayton, Panama (1979); Fort Riley, Kansas (1983 and again in 1989); Finthen Army Airfield, Germany (1985); and deployments to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm (1990 1991). He also served a temporary tour in Yongsan, Korea (1992–1993), before concluding his career with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry.

Carlos met the love of his life, Mirna Eloisa Samuel, in 1972. They married in March of 1976 after he completed basic training and built a life together filled with love, laughter, and family. Together, they raised three children, twin daughters, Lisha Elisia Coppin (Ret. Army) and Leysha Brygette Williamson (Active Duty Army), and son, Lionel Alonzo Coppin (Ret. Air Force).

After retirement, Carlos continued serving his community as a contractor for communication systems repair at Fort Hood and other military installations from 1998 to 2013. He later worked as a Walmart associate in Harker Heights, TX, from 2014 to 2017.

Carlos enjoyed working with his hands, mentoring others, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a man of quiet strength, unwavering loyalty, and deep love for his family.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Mirna Eloisa Coppin; children, Lisha, Leysha, and Lionel; grandchildren, Jaylend Dumais Amistad, Demauri Javon Medley, Darius Aydin Coppin, and Zyrell Aurelio Williamson; and great-grandchildren, Beatrix Kiddo Amistad, Finesse Juan Carlos Amistad, and Abloh J Amistad.

He also leaves behind his sisters, Edilma Natalia Rodriguez, Brenda Yvette Leslie, and Myrna Estela SantaMaria; along with their spouses and children.

Carlos was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Elisia Mercedes Maxwell Coppin (May of 2017) and Blair Alfonso Coppin (February of 1994); and his brother, Luis Alberto Coppin (September of 2022) who is survived by his spouse and children.

His legacy of service, love, and dedication will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.