Charles McCoy

SHALIMAR, Fla. -- Charles McCoy, 84, of Shalimar passed away Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.

He was born in Cache, Illinois, on Nov. 10, 1937, to General Lee and Lena Crider McCoy. He graduated from Thebes (Illinois) High School. He and Minnie Foster were married 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 our 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, Illinois; two sons, Lionel McCoy of Biloxi, Mississippi, and Philip McCoy of Juneau, Alaska; two daughters, Patty (John) Monroe of Shalimar and Lori McCoy of Marathon, Florida; 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, Arizona and Sandra (Bob) Lindsey of Eldorado, Illinois; and 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 from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 2 at Shalimar Town Hall. A graveside memorial service, with military honors, will take place at noon April 9 at Olive Branch (Illinois) Cemetery. A reception will follow at Olive Branch Community Center.

Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Illinois, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.