John David Cope died on Monday, November 18, 2024, at his home in Great Falls, VA with his family by his side. He was 78 years old.

David was born on October 10, 1946 in Baltimore, MD, the only child of the late Jesse K. Cope III and Hannah Weiss Cope. He grew up in Lansdale, PA, and graduated from Dickinson College in 1968 with a degree in history. He worked for the Civil Service Commission in Washington, DC, but his service was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army in 1969. He served for 3 years as a military intelligence officer, including a tour in Vietnam in 1971. When he returned to the US, he continued his civil service career while enrolling at Georgetown Law, taking classes at night and graduating with a JD in 1976.

David worked at the Civil Service Commission, later the Office of Personnel Management, his entire career, mostly in the agency’s Office of the Inspector General. He retired in 2018 as the Assistant Inspector General for Legal Affairs. David enjoyed his work and especially enjoyed teaching and mentoring the younger lawyers on his staff.

While working at OPM, David met the love of his life, Janet Taylor. After an office courtship, they were married on May 26, 1974 in Signpost, VA. They moved to McLean, VA in 1977, where they lived for 46 years and raised their family. Earlier this year, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, surrounded by family and friends.

David was perceptive, funny, and always enjoyed talking politics and current affairs. He was a voracious reader, especially mysteries and American history, and loved doing crossword puzzles, working in his garden, birdwatching (especially out West), and taking a nap in his favorite chair while watching a baseball game. Above all, he loved his family, and always put them and their needs first. He was so proud of the family he raised.

In addition to his wife, David is survived by his daughter Caroline of Falls Church, VA, his son Andrew and daughter-in-law Karen, with grandsons Taylor and James, of Great Falls, VA, and a host of other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Nature Conservancy or Doctors Without Borders.

David will be buried on Saturday, November 23, in a private family service in West Chester, Pennsylvania. A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, November 24, in Great Falls, VA.