James Oliver (Jim) McCoy
James Oliver (Jim) McCoy passed away peacefully on July 5, 2015 at his home in Cypress, California. Jim was born in Long Beach, California on September 15, 1926. He graduated from Long Beach Jordan High School in June 1944. Upon graduation, Jim joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Naval Air Corp in the Pacific Theater. After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1946, Jim attended Long Beach City College. It was there that he met his wife, Betty Lou Zander. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last year. Jim and Betty lived for many years in North Long Beach where they raised their two sons and one daughter. Jim had many friends and was always an outgoing person and loved to meet and engage folks in conversation.
In 1951, Jim began his career with the Long Beach Fire Department, serving in the positions of Fireman and Engineer. Jim had many memorable times while working with the fire department and retired in 1980, after 30 years of distinguished service. After retiring from the fire department, Jim started his second career as an usher at Angel Stadium. Over the course of 23 years Jim became a lead usher and always enjoyed greeting and talking with the fans and of course, seeing every home Angel game. Sports, particularly baseball, were always a very important part of Jim's life. Jim was an avid athlete at Jordan High School and Long Beach City College.
Also, an important part of Jim's life was participation in church. For many years he was a member of North Long Beach Community Presbyterian Church and later, after moving to Lakewood Village, a member of Lakewood Presbyterian Church, presently, Grace Presbyterian Church. Jim was always a member of the church choir, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Jim's community service went beyond the church and choir engagements at local senior venues. For the last 20 years Jim was a weekly driver for Food Finders, an organization that provided food for the homeless in the downtown Long Beach area. Jim also taught "60 and Alive" traffic school instruction for seniors.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Betty Lou McCoy; son, Jeffery J. McCoy and his wife, Jane; son, Steven W. McCoy and his wife, Dawn; and daughter, Susan M. Olson and her husband, Garret. Jim is also survived by six grandchildren, Megan Krier (husband Tommy), Janna Christ (husband Devin), Kellie Macpherson (husband Wes), Steven J. McCoy, Molly Mygatt and Mitchell Olson; and three great grandchildren, Mya, James and Ainsley.
A memorial service to celebrate Jim's life will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church, 3955 North Studebaker Road, Long Beach, CA on Saturday, July 18th at 11 AM. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. A private grave-site service for family members only will be held at Riverside National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to their favorite charity.
Read More
