T. E. "Sonny" Coppinger

 T. E. “Sonny” Coppinger, 72, of Charleston, passed away Tuesday, July 4, 2017 in a Chattanooga hospital after a long battle with cancer. He was born November 24, 1944 and graduated in 1964 from Bradley High School. He and his brothers founded Coppinger Brothers Studio, Coppinger Color Lab, The Sample Room, Poly Craft and Hardwood Frames and the Portrait Shoppes. Sonny was a leader in the photographic industry. He was a member of the Professional Photographers of America. Sonny was a past exalted ruler of Cleveland Lodge #1044 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Brice Coppinger and Lou Martin Coppinger; brother, Gary M. Coppinger; sister-in-law, Barbara Owens Coppinger; and niece, Lynn Coppinger.

Survivors include his wife, Sarah McEachern Coppinger; children, Chris Coppinger and Amy Coppinger; the mother of his children, Gretchen Coppinger; brother, Ronald Coppinger and wife, Oleta; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 7, 2017 in the chapel of Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home with the Reverend Cecil Guiles officiating.

His family will receive friends on Friday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.

The family requests that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, 6221 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Coppinger family guest book at fikefh.com.