Daniel Howell McCoy

Daniel Howell McCoy, age 45, was taken from this earth suddenly the evening of May 13, 2023, at his home in Tulsa, OK. While family and friends struggle to understand the wisdom of his passing at such a young and vibrant age, Daniel earnestly looked forward to someday joining his Lord and his dad in heaven. It just came sooner than he or any of us would have ever expected.

Daniel was born in Wellington, KS, on March 16, 1978, to Jim and Jane McCoy. He was raised in Clearwater, KS, and graduated from Clearwater High School in 1996. Throughout his childhood he learned to love sports and music, passions that continued into adulthood. Every summer vacation was spent on the Colorado River casting a fly line, and in the last several years of his life he was blessed to find friends who were as fishing-obsessed as he was, willing to drive all night to southern Colorado, sleep a few hours in the truck, and then get on the river. We are all assuming his dad welcomed him into the next life with fly rod in hand.

He married Kristi Avilla (Frickey) shortly after high school graduation, and although they eventually parted ways he remained a beloved honorary member of the Avilla family for the rest of his life.

Daniel went on to attend Wichita State University and earned his bachelor's degree in journalism. He went to work for the Wichita Business Journal in 2008, where he covered aviation, manufacturing and innovation. His innate curiosity, and the ability to ask tough but fair questions, led him to become a highly respected journalist in the industry, often used as a source by other publications and news sources. He knew more about airplanes than anyone probably should, and loved doing research and interviews to learn even more. If you ever needed someone for aviation trivia, he was your guy. He greatly admired Bill Roy, his first editor at WBJ, and felt it deeply when Bill passed away recently. While he had many highlights at work, one was accompanying Bill on an interview of Charles Koch of Koch Industries, the nation's second-largest private company. When he said "see ya later" in a tribute to Bill, he couldn't have known how soon that would be.

While Daniel loved his work, it was family and faith that truly made up the bedrock of his life. He raised his children, Kaden (23) and Ariah (20), as a single dad for most of their lives and devoted every thought, every plan and dream, to their wellbeing. He mixed the role of playmate generously in with that of dad, and the inside jokes and quotes from movies the three of them shared will live on. He taught them to love music from an early age, to which the many photos and videos floating around on social media right now can attest. Most importantly he taught them to love others with all their hearts, just as he always did, and his legacy will live on with them in this way.

Daniel met Marsha Baker in 2021 and immediately felt her presence was a gift from God. They married in July 23, 2022, and in their short time together lived what would have been a lifetime for many. They enjoyed camping, hiking and exploring together, and shared their faith and love of family. They balanced each other out and brought out the best in the other. Daniel often expressed how amazed he was that he was given the precious gift of having Marsha and her daughter, Zelda (10), in his life. He loved being a step-father to "Z" and sharing silliness with her. He and Marsha had recently begun foster-parenting Desmond (7 months), and it was easy to see how much Daniel had already fallen in love with little Dez.

Daniel's love of children and love of God were beautifully paired when he accompanied Marsha and Zelda to Uganda to visit the Bless the Children Ministries children's home and campus. He was deeply moved by what he experienced there and looked forward to returning to Uganda and continuing to walk alongside Marsha in her work with BTCM. Pictures of Daniel with the children in Uganda captured such joy and passion, it was easy to see that this was work he loved and belonged in.

Daniel was a devoted father, husband, son, brother, uncle and friend. Words cannot describe how much he will be missed.

Daniel is preceded in death by his father, James McCoy. He is survived by his wife Marsha; son Kaden, daughter Ariah, step-daughter Zelda and foster-son Desmond; sisters Jane Elizabeth "Lisa" McCoy of Clearwater, KS, Shaney McCoy McEntee (Dan) of Steamboat Springs, CO, and brother Matthew McCoy (Shari) of Fort Smith, AR, and numerous nieces and nephews.

PLEASE NOTE, the family asks that no one reach out with condolences to Daniel's mother, Jane. Due to her level of dementia, we are trying to shield her from having to hear this news for what feels like the first time over and over. We greatly appreciate your understanding and honoring of this request.

A celebration of Daniel's life will be held Saturday, June 3, at 1 p.m. at the West Haysville Baptist Church, 141 N. Lamar Ave., Haysville, KS. The family asks that attendees dress in light/bright colors or fan wear (K-State, Wichita State or Broncos), as we truly want this to be a celebration of Daniel's life and the things he loved here on earth.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bless the Children Ministries at https://www.purecharity.com/fundraisers/in-loving-memory-of-daniel-mccoy, or checks may be mailed to BTCM, Lockbox Department 240, PO Box 701683, Tulsa, OK 74170.