LaVerne McCoy

Marion “LaVerne” McCoy was born to Lela Ada Glendy McCoy and Marion Kendrick McCoy on June 10, 1931 and died June 27, 2026 at the age of 95. He was born at Crawford, NE. He was delivered at his Grandmother Glendy’s nursing house in Crawford,NE where mother’s and babies were delivered and cared for after birth. He was married to Josephine “Jody” Tollman McCoy July 3, 1952. To this union were born 5 children: Rodney LaVerne McCoy, Deborah “Debbie” LaRee McCoy Fricke, Roger Lee McCoy, Roy Allen McCoy and Edward Clark McCoy. Jody died in 1972. After her passing LaVerne remarried Georgia Mae “Jo” Hymer McCoy on February 2, 1974. To their family she brought 2 children, Edith “Edie” Irene Warren and Gerry Jake Warren.

LaVerne’s family lived near Douglas, Wyoming during the Great Depression where his father was employed on a ranch until a severe drought ended that job. During the Depression the family traveled through Wyoming, to Yellowstone, Montana, and as far as California where his father was looking for a place to settle. They returned to Nebraska where they lived in Gering and Belmont. His parents purchased a place by Glen, NE in 1946.

LaVerne graduated high school in Crawford, NE in 1949. He was a mechanic in the Army and served in the Korean War from 1951-1953. He married Jody Tollman in 1952. He worked at the Sioux Ordinance Depot decommissioning the ammunition from WW2 and they made their home in Sidney, NE. He purchased a ranch 13 miles southwest of Crawford in Sioux County in 1960 near Glen, NE adjacent to his parent’s ranch. LaVerne and Jody made their home on this ranch. He farmed and ranched from 1960-2022. LaVerne and Jo Hymer, married 1974, purchased a home in Crawford after his retirement and moved to town. He continued to work at the farm for over 60 years. Until his last days, he wanted to drive out and check his cows on the ranch.

LaVerne was active in the Eagles serving both as President and Secretary. He was a member of the Panhandle Coop Association. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He enjoyed the yearly family trip to Arizona. He was a member of the bowling league and an avid reader.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jody, his second wife, Jo, His parents Lela and Marion McCoy, his daughter Debbie, his stepdaughter and husband, Edie and Mike Cashon, his granddaughter Sabrina McCoy, his grandson, Levi, his siblings: brother Gerald McCoy, sisters Anna Mae McCoy Tollman Reece and Dorothy McCoy Beman.

He is survived by his sister Lee Taylor, by his sons: Rodney (Joyce) McCoy, Roger (Kathy) McCoy, Roy (Chris) McCoy and Edward (Shelley) McCoy. Stepson Gerry Warren. Son-in-law Herb (Debbie) Fricke. Grandchildren: Nichole (Francis) Agrusa, Amanda (Mike) McCoy, Shawn (Anne) Fricke, Amy (Miles) Emard, Chris (Shelby) Fricke, Jennifer Swanson, Kerri (Jeff) Schneider, LaRee (Matt) Faber, Colby (Sarah) McCoy, Samantha (Nate) Jech, Nicholas (Toni) McCoy, Michael (Jennifer) McCoy, Johnathan (Catherine) McCoy, Max (Aimee) McCoy, Spencer McCoy, Kelly (Joelle) McCoy. Great grandchildren 32 and great great grandchildren 4. Numerous nieces and nephews, and friends.

In the last years of his life he was cared for by his granddaughter Amy LaRee Fricke Emard and her husband Miles Emard. For this, the family remains eternally grateful for this gracious outpouring of love.

Pallbearers: The Grandchildren of LaVerne.

A memorial has been established for the Crawford Fire Department or Hospice of Chadron. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.