Raymond L. McCoy

Raymond L. McCoy, 89, of Franklin, IN passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025. He was born on May 19, 1936. The second son of Harry and Alice McCoy. Because Seffner, Florida was a long way from a hospital, he was born at home. The country doctor who delivered him, did not realize there was another baby in the womb and roughly delivered the second baby with forceps. Raymond was 6 pounds, and fully developed. Donnie was 4 pounds and always had problems.

Raymond's older brother Glen was 11 years his elder. When World War 11 came along, Glen joined as soon as he could, after turning 18 in January of 1943. The war news was center of attention in that home while Glen served in the Pacific with the Coast Guard. (As an adult suffering with dementia, we realize just how traumatized that little boy was as he heard war news often.)

Raymond walked a mile to school. He also had a buddy who lived behind the school. They remember running from one house to the other to get permission to spend the night.

As a sixth grader, Raymond went to the school in Brandon that also housed the high school. He attended Brandon High School from 6th grade until high school graduation. Different figures are given. Either they were the first class to have 100 students or the last class to have less than 100 students. Regardless, it was a moderate sized class that continued to stay connected through reunions until their 80th birthdays.

Raymond graduated from Brandon High School in1954. He then went to Tallahassee and graduated from Florida State University in 1958 with a social studies major, and soon added an accreditation in driver education. He had participated in ROTC, so he graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant. Although history and economics were his love, he found employment teaching Driver's Ed at his alma mater, Brandon High School. During his 42 years of teaching, he earned a Master's Degree in Traffic Safety Education and was certified in Administration.

As a young adult, he formed a business with the good buddy from elementary school, A. Wyndell Heath. They cleared land and established a trailer park, where they rented trailers. Through the years they were able to purchase 10 acres of land adjacent to the trailer park, and then added 4 more space they rented to those who owned their own mobile homes. During that time they actively participated in establishing a volunteer fire department. Raymond served as president and later treasurer of the department. They were serious about their jobs and took part in many training sessions, so they actually knew what they were doing!

At 25, his twin Donnie passed away.

After 10 years in the trailer park business and the fire department, and 8 years in the army reserve, Raymond met a young teacher who was from Indiana. They met at a single-adult group in First Presbyterian Church of Tampa. Raymond had been going to the meetings for 3 years and had decided to quit. However, he had given the program about the county volunteer fire-departments. So he decided to go one more Sunday evening. On that evening, five young women showed up, all from Ybor City Mission. He decided to continue attending to check out this group!

Raymond grew up in the Presbyterian Church of Seffner. He became a member when a child. As an adult, he served as a Deacon and then an Elder, rotating through 3-year terms several times. He was an active member the entire time he lived in Florida.

By 1969, he had quit fighting fires, completed his army requirements, and was actively negotiating the sale of the trailer park and extra 10 acres. He also had proposed to Johanna Kinkade.

In August of 1969, Raymond and Johanna were married in Indianapolis at the University Heights United Methodist Church, Johanna's home church.

Raymond's dad had passed away in January before the marriage in August. Raymon had been living at home with his parents. The decision was made to purchase the house from his mother and build an apartment for her on the back of the house. She lived in that apartment for 18 years.

While teaching at Brandon, Raymond became an active participant in the whole area of athletic business. For many years, he served as ticket seller, then assistant business manager, then business manager-hiring ticket sellers and takers, preparing the change for the events, paying the referees. It was time-consuming, but he loved the challenge. It was a paid position. He held that until he retired.

Raymond and Johanna reared two boys, Clayton and John. They were 3 years apart. The boys were fun, challenging, and just what parenting is all about! Raymond's interest in history led to many vacation stops to see historic sites. The boys learned history by being around their dad.

Retirement brought a whole new set of interests and challenges. Raymond loved to read and he loved history, but was a little uncertain about how to spend his days. He began to volunteer with the local Seffner Cemetery. He also volunteered in Johanna's second grade classroom. He made the habit of coming at the end of the day to help her prepare for the next day. During down times, he was known to crawl, headfirst into the "Reading Box" and take a nap.

When Johanna retired from teaching, but went back to work as a tutor, Raymond went to Stowers Funeral Home owned by Dignity. He worked with them part-time for almost 10 years.

During this time, Raymond's brother Glen died of Alzheimer's and Raymond found himself being more forgetful and easily confused. He felt the need to move to a community that would offer memory care. Several places in Florida were considered. However, the community in Indiana where Johanna's mother had lived for 20 years seemed to have all that was needed. Raymond said, "We need to move to Franklin." After 82 years of living on that property in Seffner, Florida, he was ready to make the move.

In 2018, the house was sold, many belongings sold and given away, and the McCoys moved to a "cottage" in the community that was becoming Otterbein. There were employees and residents already friends. The decision was never questioned. It was the right thing to do.

Raymond's dementia continued to progress, especially during the shutdown/pandemic. After six years, he needed constant attention. Daycare three days a week helped broaden his world and gave Johanna a break. In October, more care was needed, so the decision was made for him to move into the building. He was in Garden Apartments just under 2 weeks, Witham Psychiatric Hospital one week to balance meds, and then returned to Otterbein under Hospice care. Responsiveness varied widely the last two weeks, between opening his eyes, talking, and eating some, to closed eyes, not eating or drinking, and mostly grunts and smiles as responses.

His scary journey through Alzheimer's is over. He is no longer confused or angry. He is at peace. Praise God.

Raymond is predeceased by his parents, Alice (Padgett) McCoy and Harry Lester McCoy, his brothers Donnie McCoy, and C. Glen McCoy.

He is survived by his wife Johanna K. (Kinkade) McCoy of Franklin, IN, his sons Clayton L. McCoy of Missoula, MT and John M. McCoy (Shannon) of Hendersonville, TN and a grandson, Finn McCoy. He is also survived by nephew Glen E. McCoy (Debby), and nieces Caprice Jones, and Kimberly Flynn (Ken), and multiple great-nieces and great-nephews.

Pastor Ceciliah Igweta-Keega and Chaplain Deb Baker will conduct a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 3PM at the Wright Chapel at the Otterbein Franklin Seniorlife Community, 1070 West Jefferson Street in Franklin, IN. A visitation will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 3PM until 5PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and Sunday from 1PM until service time at the Wright Chapel at Otterbein Franklin Seniorlife Community.

Reverend Lolimarta Reiter will conduct a Celebration of Life Service on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM at Presbyterian Church of Seffner, 1906 Lenna Avenue in Seffner, Florida with a visitation from 6PM until service time.

A private family inurnment will take place at Seffner Cemetery in Seffner, Florida.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 East Adams Street, Franklin, IN 46131.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.