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San Luis Obispo developer Tom Copeland dead at 80

August 27, 2024

Tom Copeland

By KAREN VELIE

Tom Copeland, best known for his developments in San Luis Obispo, has died. He was 80 years old.

Copeland passed away on Thursday.

A graduate of San Luis Obispo High School, he went away to attend Coalinga College and San Jose State before returning to the Central Coast to work in the family business. Along with his brother Jim Copeland, Tom Copeland transformed the family’s small shoe store into Copeland Sports, a sporting goods chain spanning over 50 locations in four different states.

The two brothers also built San Luis Obispo’s Downtown Center, Chinatown, and Court Street.


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I had a multi-million dollar property he had sent his agent to put an offer in. The offer was low, and the agent said, “Do you know who this is? He can buy and sell you like a fat pig. That was my last conversation with that asshat of an agent.


14

When I came to this town in the 90’s there was a massive hole in the ground were Barnes and Noble now sits. The Copelands rebuilt that area and more in subsequent years, beautifying the city and and injecting it with vitality.


Plus, those who know Tom Copeland know that he was a warm and kind man.


It’s sickening to read the hateful comments here immediately after his passing.


4

Poor form.


0

Talking ill of the dead during the families period of mourning is in poor taste. There will be time in the future to ponder legacy.


8

Just as I’m sure people will wait to spew their hate when certain politicians move on.


0

The man who killed downtown SLO with his own greed. Nothing but chain stores and vintage crap. A shame.


0

this guy…


0

I remember getting shoes at The Sport Shoe in the 70’s from him.


13

The Copelands did not build Chinatown. They ruined it.


19

This obituary omits how Copeland and his brother, with the help of Jan Marx and others screwed the Dalidio family out of developing their land. They almost caught a RICO case over it. He was a rich person who donated a few bucks to charity and wrote it off on his taxes.


36

Yeah, well….bye.


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