Gerald McCoy

In Loving Memory of Gerald D McCoy December 20, 1932 – October 14, 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Gerald Duane McCoy, our beloved dad, grandpa, uncle, and fisherman, who departed this world on October 14, 2025, at the age of 92. He was the middle child of five children born to Marion K and Lela A McCoy. His siblings were Anna Mae Reece, LaVerne McCoy, Lela A (Lee) Taylor, and Dorothy Beman.

From an early age, he found peace in nature, learning to hunt and fish with his father and grandfather. He shared that love of the outdoors with his children and grandchildren. He lived most of his childhood in and around the Crawford area, apart from one trip with his family cross country to Idaho Falls looking for work during the late 1930s. He got the chance to retake that trip a couple years ago.

After graduating from high school, he had several jobs with the Conservation Service learning to run a road grader. He met Lois Joan Williams, and they were married on November 26, 1955. They were blessed with 65 years together. To this union, three children were born. Alta Darlene, Beverly Ann, and Doyle John. He worked as a road grader operator most of his life but continued to call the Crawford area home. He would work all week and come home on the weekends to enjoy family and fishing. His favorite lunch while working was to take a can of soup and heat it on the manifold of his grader, especially if it was oyster stew.

As Gerald and Lois got nearer to retirement, they practiced building a home in Chadron. They lived there until Gerald retired and they decided to be out on the family farm where they built a second home to live in until their deaths. Gerald and Lois enjoyed the wildlife coming up and eating the corn they set out. They usually took out a camper and went fishing for a few weeks during the summers.

His mother shared the talent of music with him. He played the guitar and piano with songs his mother sang. He passed that love of music to his children. He became a gourmet cook when it came to chicken seasoning, and smoked turkeys. He was lovingly called, “Fishin’ grandpa” and was never found without his fishing hat outside. He was known for humming a Tweedle-Dee song to himself while working on things. He called his granddaughters “his pretty girls” and even threatened to steal one away someday. His grandchildren remember him as a humming, guitar playing, very ornery, artful 2-stepper, fisherman who always had his coffee mug nearby and the best hugs sporting that mohair sweater he was proud of. He also taught his family to love hunting as well as fishing.

He is survived by his brother LaVerne McCoy, and sister Lee Taylor, his children Alta (Bob) Wright, Bev (Gary) Witt, and Doyle (Tammie) McCoy. His grandchildren include Toby (Tara) Wright, Mick (RaNae) Wright, Robyn (Michael) Perez, Shawney (Curtis) Clark, Libby (Benji) Wright, Emery (Kaitlin) Witt, Tim (Katie) Witt and Tracy (Brian) Piper as well as a total of 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. We will all carry his memory forward each time we enjoy the outdoors or taste his special recipe of chicken seasoning. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Lois, his parents MK and Lela McCoy, and sisters Anna Mae and Dorothy.

A burial service will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 3:00 PM, at the Crawford Cemetery where his ashes along with Lois’s ashes will be buried together. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to Crawford Volunteer Fire Department. Please join the family at the Lutheran Hall on 2nd Street around 4:00 PM for food and time together.