Obituary
Born Oct 29, 1950
Passed away Feb 12, 2024 in the company of family after a sudden
illness
Mike’s Birth Family
Parents: Howard M. and Myrte O. McCoy, both deceased
Siblings: two sisters, Lois Root and Iowna Henry; a brother
Howard, all deceased.
Mike’s Surviving family
Dianne McCoy, also known as “my beloved”, my pristine bride, Grammy, and Mrs. Mic.
Son, Michael G McCoy Jr. and wife Tara
Daughter, Amanda and husband Gregg Laney
Daughter, Brandi and husband Adam Sissel
Our Grandkids, their spouses and children:
o Michael G McCoy III
o Matthew McCoy
o Jesse McCoy (deceased)
o Megan (McCoy) Rowden
o Jordan Laney
o Emma Laney
o Ethan Sissel
o Atlas McCoy (great-grandson)
o Roman and Katarina, great-grandchildren due to arrive in the next few months
“Sis”, Denise; brother-in-law, Steve Kozal and nephew, Zack (Dianne’s sister and family, all loved by
Mike)
Mike and Dianne met at work (Stainless Fabrication, Inc.) and married in 2002. She was the love of his life.
He was a wonderful husband and friend. They bickered and teased all the time but were crazy about each
other and loved sharing their kids and grandkids. It was truly a happy life.
Michael Gene answered to many names. Mic, Mike, Mikey, dad, grandpa, Papa Coy, babe... He was loved
and respected by everyone who knew him. Kind and generous. Funny, even goofy. Serious and
determined. Loved deeply. Man of few words but much wisdom. Compassionate and caring. Happy and
content. A godly man, with strong values and convictions.
Mike was incredibly proud of his kids and grandkids. He dearly loved them all and so enjoyed time with
family and friends.
His mantra was always “can’t complain”... He had a quiet nature and wasn’t quick with advice but if you
asked him, what he had to say was usually very wise and spot-on.
Mike Jr and Amanda have a million stories about life with their dad that never cease to entertain and bring
on loads of laughter. He loved to spend time with the grandkids and watch their various activities – dance,
sports, boy scouts, flea marketing, playing musical instruments... Also seeing them graduate high school
and earn college degrees. He was so proud of all of the kids!
Mike retired from Stainless Fabrication Inc. when he was 61 but while he was still working, he travelled with
a field crew for several years, building stainless steel tanks all over the country. He snow skied in Colorado,
fished and hunted all over the U.S., was “chased” downhill by a bear, and once spent new year’s eve at
Times Square watching the ball drop. Eventually, he came off the road and worked in the tank shop where
he first noticed a girl named Dianne Renee.
Pocket knives were his passion. Always working with his hands (carpentry and tank fabrication), he
appreciated a good hand-tool... and knives were his favorite. He had lots of pocket knives made from
various materials, different blade styles, different ways to open and close and he was always researching,
looking for a better knife. Mike was never without a knife. He kept a knife in his bathrobe, two in his pants
pockets and in drawers and cubbies around home.
He also had a great appreciation for pocket watches, collecting coins and Baby Ben clocks. You could often
find him in the garage, doing a woodworking project and listening to the radio or CD’s. He learned from his
dad and used old-school hand tools with his only electric tools being a drill and sander. He made a desk
drawer from wood he had laying around. It looked just like the other drawers and included dovetail joints
and a carved wood handle. He built Dianne a standing computer desk that will still be in service 100 years
from now. He made lids for pots and all sorts of carvings.
Mike’s generosity had no end. If he had it and someone needed it, he’d give it. Many people have received
one of Mike’s knives along with a bandaid... Mike knew how to sharpen a knife. Before they were married,
Mike sent money monthly to support two children in a foreign country and then he and Dianne did the same
for a girl in Columbia for 15 years, until World Vision pulled out of the area.
Mike enjoyed yard work, especially the Bronco (riding mower) and weed-eating. He took great care of
Dianne’s outdoor plants and was happy to grow and harvest her tomatoes. He had simple tastes. Some of
his favorite creature comforts were indoor plumbing, hot running water, central heat and air conditioning, a
comfortable warm bed, good food, sweet treats, color TV, coffee and his pipe and chewing tobacco.
Mike and Dianne are long-time members of the Southside church of Christ in Ozark. Mike became a
Christian as an adult. He loved God, the bible, singing hymns, his church-family and looked forward to a
home in heaven. His desire was that all of his kids, grandkids, family and friends become Christians and all
be in heaven one day.
He will be remembered for his quick wit and always lending a helping hand.
In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Mike can be sent to our church home where the money will be
designated to support our youth group and our member’s mission trips. Both of these areas were important
to Mike and our family.
Southside Church of Christ
801 W South St
Ozark, MO 65721
Visitation & Memorial Services to be held at the Southside Church of Christ (see above for address).