Harold Lynn McCoy

Harold Lynn McCoy, 85, passed away on April 13, 2024, in Twin Falls, ID.

Son of Esther Marie McCoy (Yunker) and Glenn Albert McCoy, he was born on March 16, 1939, in Twin Falls. Harold graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1958. He spent most of his childhood working for his father in his custom harvesting business and repairing farm equipment in the off season.

After high school he joined the Navy and proudly served on two aircraft carriers, the Shangri-la and the Randolph. Harold often told stories of his time in the Navy, including accidentally walking inside a prison in Italy through an open gate and being met by armed guards.

He deeply missed his friend, Jimmie Perkins, who was struck by a car on base in 1961.

After his discharge from the Navy, he returned briefly to Idaho to continue working with his father, before deciding to move to California and seek work on the railroad. He first began working on the Southern Pacific Railroad, filling in wherever work was available, in Northern and Central California. He told of being low on money, for a time, living off toast and musk melons found in a field in Firebaugh, CA. Eventually he was able, with time and seniority, to get more consistent work and his circumstances improved. He retired from the Union Pacific Railroad after 38 years.

On April 20, 1972, Harold married the love of his life, Bettie Ann (Plender/ Oelrich). Together they had two daughters, joining Bettie's two daughters from her previous marriage. Not one to sit still, he was always working on something. He renovated every house he owned, could fix anything, and he maintained his vehicles to a flawless degree. Some of the family's best memories were of time spent at the beach and it was where he was the most relaxed. He would spend all day playing with the kids in the waves and grilling hamburgers on a small grill, half of which would end up flipped into the sand.

He was an early adopter of conservation efforts, and could often be heard asking, "Why are all the lights on in this sumb***h?"

After retirement, he enjoyed spending time with friends, Robert and Donna Stripling. The two couples were always going out to eat or playing cards. He enjoyed camping, traveling around the country by car and was interested in historical monuments. Harold and Bettie spent a great deal of time with grandkids Lee McCoy and Reed Oleske, often taking them on trips and attending their school functions.

On March 25, 2019, Bettie passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's. In the intervening years, he enjoyed meeting new people and was always ready to start a conversation with everyone he met. Whether it was in grocery stores, doctor's offices, restaurants, and Costco, no one was a stranger, and he was always ready to laugh. More than a few women received marriage proposals.

He was especially fond of his home health workers Nate, Greg, Colleen, Robin, Emily, Destinee and Aisha. He enjoyed a special bond with Bethany Perron, who also took care of him in the last few years.

He was predeceased by his parents, brothers and Bettie Ann. He is survived by a sister, June Hall, and daughters Jennifer McCoy, Kelly McCoy, Tammy Mitchell and Paige Rubio. He is also survived by 9 grandkids and 10 great-grandkids.

Daddy, you will be loved and missed always.