BOMBER MEMORIAL

PATRICK "PAT" McCOY ~ Class of 1955
March 2, 1937 - December 2, 2014

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Pat, 77, passed away on December 2, 2014, surrounded by his three loving children. He was born in Minneapolis, MN on March 2, 1937, to Hugh and Bessie McCoy.

When Pat was 6, the family moved to Richland as his father was hired at Hanford. Pat always admired his brother Dick who was ten years older. As a young boy, Pat loved tagging along with Dick and his friends, as younger brothers often do; and they went on to become close brothers and friends. Pat was a 1955 graduate of Richland's Columbia High School and a life-long resident of Richland.

Pat was a mischievous little boy, adolescent and young adult and was 'somewhat tamed' when he met and married the love of his life, Dolores "Dee" in 1958. Together, they started a family, raising their children Dan, Lynne and Laurie. Pat was very proud of his family and had a soft spot for 'misfit' animals, which would become the family pets.

Pat was an avid collector, starting with comic books as a kid. In 1968, his love of collecting Old Time Radio shows such as "The Shadow" and "The Jack Benny Show", would turn from a hobby into a full time, lucrative world-wide mail order business. Starting with two reel-to-reel tape decks and a few reels of Old Time Radio shows his hobby grew into the largest, cataloged collection of Old Time Radio shows in the world. This respected collection was later donated at the request of WSU's renowned Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. Pat's nickname “The Reel McCoy” was fitting. Pat and his wife, Dee, became a strong business team as young entrepreneurs and continued to grow and develop their business.

As the recording business successfully grew, Pat, being an accomplished businessman, saw an opportunity, and in 1972 started McCoy's Distributing, selling gambling supplies throughout eastern Washington, and this family operated business continues today. As a mentor to his family, Pat was very proud that his children followed his entrepreneurial spirit.

Although Pat was known for his wit and wry sense of humor, he was also a very sweet and sentimental writer, expressing his words in touching letters. He was a generous man, and loved golf and traveling with his wife and their friends. His dedication and love for his wife was very apparent in his care for her during her long illness. His heart was broken after losing his sweet wife and partner in 2007, at far too young of an age.

Pat was an avid reader, loved the daily crossword puzzles and swing dancing. He was a highly skilled pool player and amassed an impressive trophy collection. Since retiring in 1991, he continued his love for collecting with a massive DVD collection of movies, all numbered and cataloged in his true collector's style.

Even while struggling through his health issues, Pat's sense of humor was ever present. He used his humor to comfort his children during this difficult time, which is truly a gift we will never forget. Pat will be missed by those who loved him, and we are comforted knowing his spirit is alive in our memories and will live in our hearts forever.

Pat is preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Dolores "Dee", and his parents Hugh and Bessie McCoy.

He is survived by his son Dan McCoy (Helen), daughter Lynne McCoy Henifin (Jaime), and daughter Laurie McCoy; his grandchildren: Kellie (Jonathan), Logan, Jace (Cassie), Zack, Jessica (Cameron), and Tyler; great grandchildren: Evan and Elaina; brother Richard "Dick" McCoy ('45)(Ida) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 13, 2014, 1pm. at Einan's Funeral Home in Richland, followed by a celebration at Meadow Springs Country Club.

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