David Crawford McCoy

My condolences to the McCoy family. I first met him when he was recruiting for Olivet. One of my fondest memories was when he told me that I played oboe like a flutist during woodwind class. I took that as a high compliment. He was always encouraging.

I am just reading of Mr. McCoy's passing. I first met him in 1967, my first Junior High School Solo and Ensemble experience for which he was the adjudicator. He calmed my nerves and rated me kindly! Years later I had the pleasure of playing in several of his music groups at Olivet College. He was a great conductor, a perfect example of a great teacher.

My condolences to the entire McCoy family. I had the priviledge of playing in the GR Youth Symphony under his baton and he always was about the business of helping young musicians. He was so helpful and became a mentor of mine. I will always cherish the years I spent playing with him in the Westwind Quintet (I performed on flute, Dave on bassoon). Rehearsals were always great fun, but also we worked hard. His arrangements were great and always would be working on something new for the quintet. I will never forget the great musical times we had together. He would often joke around that my husband, Elwyn, was his barber! What a great man. I miss you, Dave.
Karen Betz-Griewahn

Mr. McCoy and band were one of the best parts of high school for me. He fostered a life long love of playing and left me with great memories of my marching band days. I´m grateful to have had him for a teacher.

Mr. McCoy will always be in my personal pantheon of "greatest teachers ever." He was a great musician, conductor, and counselor to his students. No one could equal his bassoon reed-making prowess. I "ordered" a few batches from him while stationed in (West) Germany in the 1977-78 time frame, playing bassoon in a U.S. Army Band there. I doubt that Mr. McCoy had an inkling of the respect, even awe and admiration, he engendered; he was the model of modesty in all he undertook, going about his work with quiet self-confidence and the utmost deliberation/dedication. The world needs more people like him! R.I.P., Mr. McCoy. I hope we meet again on the other side.

Mr. McCoy was such an amazing director and great person.
I´ll never forget when he let us put down our instruments and dance on the field the first time, which is now the "Boogie Down" at EGR.
Picture is of him directing at EGR in 1983.
My condolences to the McCoy family.

My parents friends from East Grand Rapids. Great memories of Polly and my Mom. Also part of the East Congregation Church family. The Bradyville Gang sends it's heart felt condolences, prayers and hugs to Polly and the McCoy Family.

Gail K. Brady-Drew

My first memory of him is him on the football field in his rolled up khakis with his bullhorn. He was ready to go

Being in band was the formative experience of my high school career. The community he created, and the friends I made there, have stayed with me my whole life. My love and condolences to his family. His memory is a blessing.

What a fantastic, talented music director. I carried so many of his lessons throughout my life. I just loved him as a teacher; kind pragmatic and pushed everybody to do their best.