Charles McCoy

Charles McCoy, 84, of Shalimar, Fla., died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. 

He was born in Cache on Nov. 10, 1937, the son of General Lee and Lena Crider McCoy. He graduated from Thebes High School. 

He and Minnie Foster were married on May 28, 1955. 

He joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17 and retired as a master sergeant, with 20 years of service to the country. His military career took him to Alaska, Argentina, Mississippi, Florida, Germany and Virginia. 

After retiring from the Air Force, he was a self-employed satellite installer and appliance repairman. He had the ability to fix anything and everything, and he did that for anyone who asked. 

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Minnie McCoy of Olive Branch; two sons, Lionel McCoy of Biloxi, Miss., and Philip McCoy of Juneau, Alaska; two daughters, Patty (John) Monroe of Shalimar, Fla., and Lori McCoy of Marathon, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Jason (Karen) Monroe, Christopher (April) McCoy, Ryan Monroe, Brent Monroe, Tiffany McCoy, Maxwell McCoy, Star McCoy, Austin McCoy, Teresa McCoy, Isabel (Caleb) McCoy-Black and Quintin McCoy; eight great-grandchildren, Christopher McCoy, Cheyenne McCoy, Tyler Monroe, Ethan Monroe, Jacob Monroe, Kasen Arguelles, Reon McCoy and Emry Monroe; two sisters, Emma (Ken) Stovall of Mesa, Ariz., and Sandra (Bob) Lindsey of Eldorado; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and five brothers.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Shalimar, Fla., Town Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A graveside memorial service with military honors will take place in the Olive Branch Cemetery at noon on April 9. A reception will follow at the Olive Branch Community Center. 

Crain Funeral Home in Tamms is in charge of arrangements.

To view the full obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.