James Samuel McCoy

James Samuel McCoy, 78, of Leicester, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026. He is survived by his "lovely bride" of 59 years, Emily Jane Bonds McCoy (aka "The Boss"), his beloved children, Kelsey "KJ" Kapolnek and Keelan "Banjo" McCoy and their partners, Mark "Markel" Kapolnek and Lenny "Leonard" McCoy, and his four "beautiful, genius, perfect" grandchildren, Grant and Lyla Kapolnek and Greer and Delaney McCoy. He is remembered with enduring love by his sister Sheila McCoy, brother-in-law Chuck Rowell, sister-in-law Brenda Rowell, nieces Karen and Kristen Rowell, great-niece Lura Gurth, and cousin Tina Parise Baber.

Jim was born in 1947 in Radford, Virginia. He spent his childhood running the hills of the Appalachian mountains. One day in high school, he decided he wanted to learn to play tennis. He strode into English class and asked if anyone knew how to play. A pretty young lady raised her hand and said "I do" (reader, she did not). History was made: Jim and Jane married on October 15, 1966, and so began a partnership for the ages; Jim's love for his wife was his defining characteristic. Together, they moved to Montgomery, Alabama where Jim was stationed in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. His role included preparing pilots to survive a downed aircraft.

Jim used his GI Bill to enroll in Virginia Western Community College, then graduated from Virginia Tech. He went on to teach Horticulture at Wilson Memorial High School. After seven years, he enrolled in the Animal Science master's degree program at Penn State University and went on to earn his doctorate in Agricultural Education in 1982. He was proud to be the first in his family to pursue higher education, which he celebrated with a license plate that read "PHD 82."

Jim's career in strategic enrollment management spanned four decades and many diverse schools including: Penn State University, Miami University, Xavier University, Louisiana State University, University of New Haven, Mary Baldwin University, and Salem College. "Dr. McCoy" mentored countless young professionals, including as a co-founder of the Annapolis Institute, a training program for college admission counselors. A lifelong college football fan, he rooted every weekend for Tech, Penn State, and LSU.

Jim was proud of his career, but his pride for his children was next-level. He always said that his reason for being on this earth was to be their father. In Kelsey and Keelan, he saw limitless potential, and he was their champion. When Kelsey was cast in a play in 9th grade, he and Jane launched the Talawanda Drama Boosters Club. He was the unofficial social chair of the parent groups for every sport Keelan played. Along the way, he helped influence and guide many Oxford kids.

When Kelsey and Keelan got married, he welcomed his new son Mark and daughter Lenny into the family with joyful acceptance. And when his grandbabies were born? Lord have mercy. Legos, tickles and so. many. donuts. The grandkids will think of their Pop Pop every time they dip an Oreo into milk.

Despite living in at least ten places throughout his life, Jim maintained enduring friendships. He nurtured those bonds with intention-and the occasional stiff drink and good cigar. It's a testament to his lifelong pursuit of community that we received a condolence card from the grocery store pick-up staff the day after he died.

Jim's enthusiasm, generosity, and love was boundless. He never met a stranger. He was always up for a good time. He tipped big, laughed big, cooked big. He made vibrant gardens. And he lived with a deep sense of optimism that will continue on in his children and grandchildren.

Wherever Jim was relaxing, there were three or four books stacked by his side. He was a fixture of the public libraries in each of his hometowns. With that in mind, and in lieu of flowers, we ask for donations in his name to the Leicester Public Library and Community Garden.

Before every family road trip as we backed out of the driveway, Dad's voice would boom: "'We're Off!' the captain shouted as he staggered down the stairs." Through waters deep and choppy, through journeys unknown, may we all face what's coming with the gusto of Jim McCoy.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Saturday, March 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Weaver House, 56 N. Main Street, Weaverville, North Carolina (approximately 15 minutes outside of Asheville).