Melvin McCoy, 94, of Liberty, Mo., died Thursday, May 5, 2016 after a brief illness. He was born June 12, 1921 to Garland and Anna Mae McCoy in Clay County near Missouri City. His mother died when he was 11 leaving his father and five children.
In 1936 the family moved to Prathersville, Mo. where they were farmers. Melvin dropped out of high school to help his dad farm. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and made money selling pelts. Baseball filled his weekends. He got a job in Neosho as a carpenter building barracks at Camp Crowder in Neosho, Mo.
On June 9, 1942 Melvin married Sarah Render, also of Prathersville. He left for the war and served four years in the Army Air Force. He and Sarah moved to Liberty, Mo. where he continued as a carpenter. In 1951 he started a construction company building and remodeling homes. His younger brother Ted joined him in 1956. McCoy Brothers construction built over 100 houses and small businesses in and around Liberty and remodeled buildings on Liberty square. In 1958 they built and operated McBowl along with their brother Harrison.
In 1948 their son David entered the world. They were proud and loving parents and later grandparents. The family enjoyed fishing together and taking annual summer trips to Minnesota.
Melvin retired from the construction company in 1976, but continued working at the bowling alley until it was sold in the mid-80’s. After retirement he and Sarah enjoyed traveling to Omaha regularly to attend the horse and dog races. They loved watching the Royals and Chiefs.
Melvin is preceded in death by his son David and sisters Mildred Swearingin and Helen Hutchens. He is survived by his wife Sarah, bothers Harrison (Jean) and Ted (Cheri), sister-in -law Nancy Elmore, daughter-in-law Elaine, grandchildren Andrew and Laurel, and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held from 10–11 a.m., Wednesday, May 11, at Church Archer Paisley Funeral Home followed by a graveside service at the Missouri City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.