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Ernest Wesley McCoy, a teacher to thousands, a mentor to many, a loving husband and father, and a friend to all died on April 18th, 2020 at his home in Smyrna, TN. He was 97 years old. He was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church in Monticello, AR.
Born June 3rd, 1922 in Richland, IN to Ernest McCoy and Blanche Johnson McCoy.
Mr. McCoy served in the United States Navy during World War II and was an instructor of Fleet School welding from 1943 to 1947. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Monteene. They were married on July 4th, 1943 in Evansville, IN.
Mr. McCoy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry in 1950 and a Master of Science Degree in Forestry in 1951 from Purdue University. He was a master educator, a professional Forester, and a professional Land Surveyor. Professor McCoy spent three different tenures on the UAM faculty department of Forestry. He joined what was then the Arkansas A&M College in 1953. Professor McCoy left A&M College in 1955 for a three-year stint with the U.S. Forest Service in Carbondale, IL as a project leader in research, and returned to A&M in 1958 where he remained until retirement. He retired as an associate professor 1992. He returned to the program immediately for another two-year stint as a research associate. He retired again in 1994 and went to work as a Surveying and Project Manager. In 1999, he returned to the School of Forest Resources as a visiting professor charged with curriculum development and writing a substantial number of new courses for the new Spatial Information Systems Surveying Program.
In May 2002, Professor McCoy was honored at the UAM School of Forestry for the Lifetime Achievement Award. The E. Wesley McCoy Natural Resources Trail at UAM was dedicated to Professor McCoy. The trail holds many fond memories for him and his family. In 2005 he was inducted into the Arkansas Foresters Hall of Fame.
He was wise beyond his education, and numerous people benefited from his council. He was exceptionally kind, tolerant, trustworthy, and loved by all. Wesley McCoy was a true gentleman.
Mr. McCoy is survived by Monteene McCoy, his loving wife of 76 years; His children: Pat McCoy Kissinger and her husband, Walt Kissinger of Smyrna, TN. Ronnie McCoy and his wife Lori McCoy of Monticello, AR. Grandchildren: Candace Redwine, and her husband Jeff, Shaun Oliver, and his wife Stephenie, Jadah McCoy, Will McCoy, and Zach Kissinger. Great Grandchildren: Valerie Andrews, Ethan Jones, Olivia Robinson, Jaden Oliver, Landon Oliver, and Jace Oliver. He is preceded in death by his daughter Pamela Monteene McCoy, his brother, Dr. Melvin McCoy, his sister Martha McCoy, his parents Ernest & Blanche McCoy, and granddaughter Jennifer Lynn Curry Rathel.
There will be a graveside service at Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, AR. by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Pastor Hammett Evans of the First United Methodist Church will perform the services. Please refer to Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home website for Covid-19 guidelines.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service at First United Methodist Church in Monticello, AR at a later date once all bans have been lifted. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the E. Wesley McCoy Scholarship fund at UAM.
Born June 3rd, 1922 in Richland, IN to Ernest McCoy and Blanche Johnson McCoy.
Mr. McCoy served in the United States Navy during World War II and was an instructor of Fleet School welding from 1943 to 1947. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Monteene. They were married on July 4th, 1943 in Evansville, IN.
Mr. McCoy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry in 1950 and a Master of Science Degree in Forestry in 1951 from Purdue University. He was a master educator, a professional Forester, and a professional Land Surveyor. Professor McCoy spent three different tenures on the UAM faculty department of Forestry. He joined what was then the Arkansas A&M College in 1953. Professor McCoy left A&M College in 1955 for a three-year stint with the U.S. Forest Service in Carbondale, IL as a project leader in research, and returned to A&M in 1958 where he remained until retirement. He retired as an associate professor 1992. He returned to the program immediately for another two-year stint as a research associate. He retired again in 1994 and went to work as a Surveying and Project Manager. In 1999, he returned to the School of Forest Resources as a visiting professor charged with curriculum development and writing a substantial number of new courses for the new Spatial Information Systems Surveying Program.
In May 2002, Professor McCoy was honored at the UAM School of Forestry for the Lifetime Achievement Award. The E. Wesley McCoy Natural Resources Trail at UAM was dedicated to Professor McCoy. The trail holds many fond memories for him and his family. In 2005 he was inducted into the Arkansas Foresters Hall of Fame.
He was wise beyond his education, and numerous people benefited from his council. He was exceptionally kind, tolerant, trustworthy, and loved by all. Wesley McCoy was a true gentleman.
Mr. McCoy is survived by Monteene McCoy, his loving wife of 76 years; His children: Pat McCoy Kissinger and her husband, Walt Kissinger of Smyrna, TN. Ronnie McCoy and his wife Lori McCoy of Monticello, AR. Grandchildren: Candace Redwine, and her husband Jeff, Shaun Oliver, and his wife Stephenie, Jadah McCoy, Will McCoy, and Zach Kissinger. Great Grandchildren: Valerie Andrews, Ethan Jones, Olivia Robinson, Jaden Oliver, Landon Oliver, and Jace Oliver. He is preceded in death by his daughter Pamela Monteene McCoy, his brother, Dr. Melvin McCoy, his sister Martha McCoy, his parents Ernest & Blanche McCoy, and granddaughter Jennifer Lynn Curry Rathel.
There will be a graveside service at Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, AR. by Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home. Pastor Hammett Evans of the First United Methodist Church will perform the services. Please refer to Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home website for Covid-19 guidelines.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service at First United Methodist Church in Monticello, AR at a later date once all bans have been lifted. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the E. Wesley McCoy Scholarship fund at UAM.