James Copland III of Burlington dies after career in textiles and banking

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Early Life and Academic Distinction in Burlington

Born and raised in Burlington as the son of the late James R. Copland, Jr., and Lillian Gheen Copland, Copland graduated from Williams High School, where he maintained a lifelong devotion to the WHS Bulldogs. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a Morehead Scholarship, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and setting a record for the highest academic average in the business school that stood for decades. Alongside his academic pursuits, he remained a devoted fan of the UNC Tar Heels throughout his life and stayed a lifelong member of Macedonia Lutheran Church, serving for many years as a council member and treasurer.

Leadership in Textile Manufacturing and Banking

Following his graduation from Chapel Hill, Copland entered the family business, joining Copland Fabrics and Copland, Inc. He spent the majority of his career as owner, CEO, and chairman, working alongside his brother Ronald for more than 50 years and collaborating with his son Jason for the final 20 years of his career. Beyond manufacturing, Copland played an instrumental role in establishing First South Bank and MidCarolina Bank in Burlington. He served as board vice chairman of the former and chairman of the latter until both institutions merged into larger entities.

Community Development and Philanthropy

Copland helped found Burlington’s Twin Lakes Center, a retirement and continuing care community affiliated with Macedonia Lutheran Church, and spent his final days at the facility’s Coble Creek Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Demonstrating a strong commitment to education, he established college scholarships for the children of Copland Fabrics employees as well as the James R. Copland, Jr. and Lillian G. Copland merit scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill. Outside of his professional and civic endeavors, he was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed spring wild turkey hunting, wingshooting, big-game hunting around the world, and fishing for tarpon and late-summer red drum along the North Carolina coast.

Memorial Service and Survivors

Copland was predeceased in 2022 by his wife of 54 years, Harriett Eiler Copland, a Greensboro native whom he married in 1968. He is survived by his three sons and their wives: James IV and Tahira of New Bern, Jason and Alicia of Burlington, and Spencer and Jessica of Greensboro; as well as four grandchildren, Hailey, Ben, Tom, and Elizabeth.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, at 11 a.m. at Macedonia Lutheran Church, located at 421 West Front Street in Burlington, with a reception for family and friends to follow at Luther Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the capital fund at Macedonia Lutheran Church or to Twin Lakes.