Byron Eugene (Gene) McCoy, was the youngest of three children born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, to Raymond Robert McCoy and Thelma Young McCoy. The family eventually moved to Oklahoma City. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Navy, serving in the Pacific Theater as a Naval Air Transport Service crewman, witnessing the devastating aftermath of war. Gene graduated from Central High School in his Navy uniform, and married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Stone in December, 1946, with whom he had two children, Chuck McCoy and Ruth Anne Hammond. He studied business at Oklahoma City University before becoming an officer in the US Air Force, and in his early twenties was the Commanding Officer, Headquarters Squadron, Metchel AFB. Though he was succeeding in the military, family responsibilities compelled his return to civilian life, and he began his career in business back in Oklahoma and Texas. Eventually divorced from Virginia, he rejoined Village Christian Church, where he met the beautiful Annetta Clark Fudge. They married in 1968, and Gene lovingly began to help raise her four children, Candy Roberts, Robin Finegan, Sheri Nixon, and Clark Fudge. Gene and Annetta created a blended family in which all six of their children were supported and cherished. Gene leaves behind Annetta, the six children and their spouses (Joan Macewich McCoy, John Hammond, Andy Roberts, Cole Finegan and Mark Nixon), as well as twelve grandchildren (and spouses): Cody and Bentley (Kim) McCoy, Marcus (Lauryann) and Ivy Hammond, Austin, Nathan and Jay Roberts, Jordan and Rye Finegan, and Jarrett, Ellianna and Ava Nixon, plus one great-granddaughter, Avery McCoy. Their "Granddad" left behind these words about his life and loves: "My greatest joy was spending time with our children and grandchildren, traveling with a travel trailer and playing tennis." He and Annetta have been devoted to issues of equality and justice during their 48 years of marriage. The joy, care and faithfulness he gave to his family and his friends is beyond measure, and will live as a blazing legacy. We celebrate his passing into the beautiful web of Eternal Love. Donations in his memory may be made to the Mayflower Congregational Church Benevolence Fund. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Mayflower Congregational Church 3901 NW 63rd Street, OKC 73116.

Published in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Tuesday, July 5, 2016, Page 8A.