Retired SMSGT James Allen McCoy was born Nov. 3, 1934 to Carl E. McCoy and Martha (Borg) McCoy in Belleville, Ill. He passed away May 2, 2021 at the age of 86 after living a full and productive life in the military and farming. In 1950 at the age of 16, James lied about his age and enlisted in the Army and then Air Force. In 1952, he served a tour in the Korean War. On Dec. 31, 1955, James A. McCoy and Elva Lee Poston married in Belleville, Ill. Life in the military took Elva and James all over the United States and overseas. James served one year in Thailand during the Vietnam War. In the military he served as a Fireman and later as a Fire Chief. He retired from the military in 1972 at the age of 37 after serving 21 years. James received five honorable discharges, two Korean War Medals, a commendation Medal, an Army and Air Force Good Conduct Medal, an Expeditionary Medal, and a National Defense Medal. After retirement, James began raising registered Polled Herefords on 331 acres in Hartville. He was the last purebred Hereford breeder in Wright County, Missouri. Forty-four years of James’ life was spent farming not only in Hartville, but also Green Ridge and Mountain View. After the death of his wife in 2016, James moved to the Warrensburg Veterans Home. He resided there until his passing.
Some of the roles James served in throughout his lifetime were as a father, husband, Veteran, fireman, Fire Chief, Senior Master Sergeant, farmer, cattle breeder, and leader in his community. James is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Elva Lee (Poston) McCoy, and oldest son, Buddy McCoy, of Anchorage, Alaska. James leaves behind three daughters, Nancy Windsor (Marshall) ,of Tyler, Texas; Kathleen Koechner (Kyle -deceased), of Tipton; Leanne Knapp (Buster), of Grovespring; and one son, Carl A. McCoy (Marti), of Grain Valley; as well as daughter-in-law Linda McCoy of Anchorage, Alaska and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A private burial will be held at a future date. Donations in honor of James Allen McCoy may be sent to the Warrensburg Veteran’s Home, 1300 Veteran’s Rd., Warrensburg, Mo. 64093.
