USA First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff

Dear First Lady Cecilia Abbott,
My name is Carilu Bell, mother of Casey Dean Copeland who grew up in Lake Travis,
attended Lake Travis Elementary, Junior and High School. He chose to move to Westlake for
his Junior and Senior years, where he graduated. He loved playing football in school and one
year was nominated Mr. Personality.
In elementary school, he was in the Gifted and Talented program. Throughout his school
years, Casey was loved by all his teachers and coaches. After graduating from high school, he
took classes at ACC, then graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos, with a
Bachelor of Exercise and Sports and a Major in Health and Fitness Management. He was a
Certified Fitness Trainer and was a mentor for many people wanting to improve their health
and physique.
Casey started bartending to help pay for college expenses and continued bartending
throughout his life. He was well known in and around Lake Travis, not only because he grew
up there, but he had also worked at many of the restaurants and bars in the area. Customers
couldn’t help but fall in love with his spirit.
A few of his friends described him as, “always having a smile, living life to the fullest” and
“spreading love, unity, and joy anywhere he went.” “He touched a lot of lives, drove some
people crazy, but mostly made people love him. “He was such a loving guy and wasn’t afraid
to show it.” One friend observed, “His bear hugs could incite world peace.”
He had an immense passion for Texas Longhorns’ Football, Baseball and Basketball (some
say he was born with orange blood). Working out at the gym and running were two of his
enduring hobbies. On his 40th birthday, he even ran to the Pennybacker Bridge, spanning
Lake Austin, he decided to swim across and then continued with his run.
Casey loved his friends and genuinely cherished music, from Pearl Jam to Kenny Chesney.
One of his greatest joys was sharing his love of music with family and bringing them to shows
with him.
He was no stranger to getting the party started. If no one was on the dance floor, he had no
problem pulling his mom out to two-step. Casey didn’t embarrass easily and was often the
center of attention. He adored and loved his dogs, Pearl and Malia, but most of all Casey
loved his family. His mom, grandmother, grandfather, stepdads, brother, sister, and nieces will
miss him more than words can say and will all be forever touched by the outpouring of love
from Casey’s friends.
Please support a memorial wall in our state Capitol for the victims of the drug epidemic.
Sincerely,
Carilu Bell
Mother of Casey Dean Copeland, Forever 44
Austin, TX
911