Charles R. McCoy Sr., 75, of Decatur, IL passed away in peace with his family's love surrounding him on February 14, 2011.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, friend and businessman.
Mr. McCoy was born in Springfield, IL April 25, 1935, the son of Amos and Alice (Bennett) McCoy. He graduated from Peoria Central High School and went on to graduate from Bradley University, Peoria, IL with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. He married his best friend and soul mate Helen K. Rees on June 12, 1957 and shortly thereafter started his family that he loved and was proud of. He served in The United States Army during peace time from 1957 until 1959. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church and The Knights of Columbus in Decatur, IL.
He was Vice President of Newman and Ullman Wholesale Company in Peoria and Decatur, IL from 1960 until 1978 and was General Manager and Chief Operating Officer for the Decatur Warehouse from 1973 until 1978. he was named "Boss of the Year" 1977-1978 by the Decatur Chapter of American Business Women's Association.
He went back to school in 1978 at Richland Community College in Decatur, IL and received his Real Estate Broker’s License. While he sold real estate for Roby and Roby, Inc. he continued his schooling and received his Real Estate Appraisal License. He went on to become a Senior Residential Appraiser. He was an appraiser for Roby and Associates, Inc. from 1989 until his retirement. In between his busy work schedule and family life he found time to be a teacher at Richland Community College as a Real Estate Instructor from 1981 until 1989.
He loved to travel and visit new cities, towns and countries with his wife during his retirement. He was a great fan of all sports, especially when it came to baseball. He was an avid Cardinals fan and found great pleasure in arguing with friends and associates who were Cub fans during baseball season (well, all year long actually). He valued and loved every moment spent with his wife, children and especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren, telling them stories from his childhood, his success in life, and all the places he has traveled to and their history. Every day to him was an adventure and every obstacle was met with stubbornness like none other until his death.
Surviving is his wife, Helen McCoy (Rees). sons: Charles McCoy, Jr. and wife Cathy of Monticello, IL, Michael McCoy and wife Patricia of Maroa, IL, Joseph McCoy and wife Tina of Ankeny, IA; daughter: Mary Reed and husband Roy of Stewardson, IL; grandchildren: Jeremy, Jessica, Chris, Terry, Tammy, Patrick, Johnny, Gregory, Ashley, Zach, Breanna, Cierra, and Connor; great grandchildren: Mikayla, Keegan, Cohen, and Olivia; sister: Susan McMorris and husband Rex of Bartonville, IL; nephews: David, Mark, and Rexie; niece: Cindy all of the Peoria area.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Amos and Alice (Bennett), sister; Mary Susan, son; Patrick, and grandson; Jason.
There will be a Private Family Graveside at The Lester Barnett Cemetery with Military Rites by the Macon County Honor Guard. Dawson and Wikoff Mt. Zion Funeral Home is assisting family with arrangements.
Memorials should be made in lieu of flowers to: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in honor of his granddaughter Tammy McCoy, The United Cerebral Palsy Foundation in honor of his grandson Jason Crawley, or The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in honor of his great granddaughter Mikayla Salmons.
