Jim McCoy

(From Nelson Funeral Home)

Born February 6, 1947, Carl James “Jim” McCoy was born in Joplin, MO to Carl Junior McCoy and Mary (Carter) McCoy, who both preceded him in death. 

Jim grew up in Baxter Springs, KS where he met his future wife Kathy Jane Matthews who celebrated fifty-three years together with him.

Jim graduated from Pittsburg State University with a master’s degree in political science and served in Army ROTC. He volunteered in 1969 to serve in the US Army and achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant. In 1970, he was given orders to serve in Vietnam with the 8th Cavalry Airmobile where he was awarded the Air Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star for his service. He always has remembered his Vietnam Veteran brothers, especially honoring those that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

After his Vietnam service, he returned to civilian life working in banking as a senior president and earning a master’s in banking from Rutgers University in 1980. Later in his career, he worked for Boeing and Spirit Aircraft in global support, retiring in 2016. Recently, he has served as assistant development director at the Eureka Springs School of the Arts in the Arkansas Ozarks. He spent countless hours as a volunteer helping the less fortunate and serving at St. John’s Episcopal, Wichita, KS and St. James Episcopal, Eureka Springs, AR.

Jim had many loves in his life, first being his wife Kathy and his family. Along with Kathy, he is survived by son Matthew, daughter-in-law Heather, and grandchildren Willa and Griffin McCoy of Westlake, OH; son Dusty, daughter-in-law Pam, and grandchildren Marissa and Malloree McCoy of Omaha, NE. Daughter Jamey, son-in-law Chris, and grandchildren Corbin, Carson and Kinley Borchers of Olathe, KS; and brother Max McCoy of Emporia, KS. He gave unselfishly for his family all his life. 

Besides his love for his family, faith and country, Jim was an accomplished bass fisherman, military historian, genealogy researcher, baseball fan, artist, and traveler. He loved living his retirement days in the beautiful Ozark Mountains and cherishing his friendships made over the years.

On December 19, 2022, at age 75, Jim passed away from Earth to be with his lord Jesus Christ. Visitation will be at 2:30 PM and funeral mass following at 3:00PM on Friday, December 23rd at St. James Episcopal Church, 28 Prospect Ave., Eureka Springs, AR 72632. Celebrant will be Father David Angus. A spring memorial service with military honors will be scheduled at a later date. 

Memorial donations may be made to St. James Episcopal Church or the Happy Valley Dog Rescue of Berryville, AR. Arrangements under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. © Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. 2022.