Harold "Junior" McCoy's Obituary
McCOY, Harold Junior, age 96, of Xenia, formerly of New Burlington, passed away on July 25, 2022. Harold was born October 4, 1925, the son of Harold Raymond and Pauline Webster McCoy.
Harold, “Junior” to many who knew him, was a Navy veteran of WWII and retired from the US Postal Service after nearly 40 years carrying mail in the New Burlington area. He had a perfect driving record for over 75 years, of which he was very proud. He was active in many groups and organizations, including the Spring Valley Lions Club and the Greene County Fish and Game, both of which he was a charter member; Spring Valley and Xenia Senior Citizens; a 17 time Past Patron of the Miami Chapter Order of the Eastern Star; Past Master of the New Burlington Masonic Lodge #574; and member of New Burlington Community Church. He also attended the Church of the Nazarene in Xenia.
Giving, loving, and occasionally stubborn in a funny way, Junior was active well into his 90s and could fix anything. He expected people to be punctual and insisted on being early wherever he went. Of particular note, he was extremely hardworking. He supported his kids and grandkids and ensured they had more than he grew up with. He lived his working life delivering mail in the morning and working an assortment of jobs in the afternoon. From working in the meat department at a grocery to shearing sheep, which he also raised, to driving a bus for Xenia City Schools, and working for a hardware store, Junior lived his life to ensure his family was provided for. In his younger days, he was an avid trap shooter and bowler. He bowled with the Elks in Wilmington a couple of nights each week, including their traveling team. In addition, he played with his New Burlington friends in leagues in Wilmington for many years. As an avid trap shooter, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially creating a bond with his dad while sharpening his skills and participating in tournaments. He was always proud of the time he shot 99 out of 100 at the Grand American national tournament one year. In addition, he supported youth sports by serving as a referee for high school and freshman college basketball. He also enjoyed quality time with his late wife while caring for their vegetable garden. He focused on the garden, and she spent time snapping the beans and canning the vegetables for the winter months. In recent years, he has enjoyed golf and playing euchre with the “old people.”
It was a tradition for the family to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve at Junior’s home. He always enjoyed making popcorn rolls and caramel corn for the festivities. It was also a tradition to take the family to Natural Bridge in Kentucky each year while the kids were growing up, always with a picnic lunch and just for the joy of being together. He was most proud of his kids and his service to his country while serving in the Navy during WWII. He spent most of his time aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific as a radio man for the Grumman Avenger TBF/TBM Torpedo Bomber. While humble about it, he always told of flying over and viewing the destruction in Japan a couple of days after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs.
He is survived by his wife Jeanne, whom he married in 2015; four sons, Danny (Joy), Allen (Cindy), Michael (Jayne), and Bruce (Karen); daughter, Denise; 16 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Mary McCoy; his wife of 65 years, who passed away in 2011, Lorraine (Harvey); two brothers; and a sister. Also left to cherish his memory are Jeanne’s sons, Paul and Brian; daughter, Jennifer; and grandchildren, who accepted him lovingly into their family.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, July 28, at Stubbs-Conners funeral home in Waynesville. Interment will be in New Burlington Cemetery. Steve Collett will be officiating the services. The family will receive friends 6:00 - 8:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home, with a Masonic and Eastern Star service beginning at 7:30 PM - all are welcome to attend. If desired, contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
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