Elmer E. McCoy, 83, son of Columbus and Mary Elizabeth (Phillips) McCoy, was born Feb. 11, 1926, in Success, Mo. He passed away Dec. 12, 2009, at the Texas County Memorial Hospital, Houston, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jimmy David McCoy; two brothers, Gene and Junior McCoy; and two sisters, Ethel Simms and Shirley Kluever.
Elmer grew up and attended Success School. He married Virda “Aliene” Massey on Dec. 5, 1944. They just celebrated their 65th anniversary.
Pap (as everyone called him) loved to hunt and fish, garden and tinker on whatever needed to be fixed. He was a cattle and hog farmer. But his greatest love was playing music and singing. Pap was the founding father of The Possum Creek Opry, located at the old Union School. He was also the founder and president of the Raunchy River Rats. Pap also started the annual McCoy Hog Roasts, where many people came and ate and enjoyed playing music and singing together.
He is survived by his wife, Aliene of the home in Houston; three sons, Garold McCoy and wife, Susan, of Houston, Roger McCoy and wife, Peggy, of Houston and Rolla McCoy and wife, Margaret, of Crocker; a daughter, Sharon K. McCoy of Houston; a brother, Don McCoy and wife, Viretta, of Rogersville; three sisters, Ruby Knight of Clayton, Ala., Juanita McLain and husband, Bill, of Goddard, Kan., and Beulah Douglas and husband, Herbert, of Houston; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild.
Pap was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother and made numerous friends throughout his life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Services were 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, at Evans Funeral Home Chapel with Wesley Wallace officiating. Pallbearers were Jim McCoy, Justin Scholz, Tim Aranjo, Jack Stricklin, Dustin Fisher, Tyler Fisher, Sean Ryno and Kenneth Connell. Honorary pallbearers were James Garner, Benjamin Blank, Jacob Blank and Austin Chambers. Burial was in Union Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
The family has requested memorials to Union Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansfh.com.