Gary D McCoy

Gary D. McCoy, age 87, died on Saturday, April 20, 2019 with his family surrounding him. He was a twenty-year veteran of the United States Air Force. Gary enjoyed traveling, going to movies with his wife, playing with his grand and great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his stories and for being the backyard BBQ Master. He is proceeded in death by his wife, Gloria McCoy. He is surrounded by his wife, Rosemary McCoy; sister, Shirley Frye; children, Steve (Debbie) McCoy, Debra Burlage, Michelle (Anthony) Rost, Theresa (Phil) Houser, Priscilla Chavez; and many grand and great-grandchildren. Friends may visit one hour prior to the Funeral Service on Monday, April 29, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at FRENCH– University. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery

Memories of my Dad

Dad, you showed me how a husband should treat his wife. You never hit my mom, or pushed her around, or intimidated her, or called her any nasty names in the heat of an argument. You never hit walls or broke mirrors. Never, not even one time. You bought her everything she wanted. Gifts and flowers for her birthday, and surprised her with presents that she didn't know she wanted just because you wanted to buy it for her.

Dad, you showed me how a dad treats his children. I remember being a young kid around 5 and even then, I liked to sleep in lol. Dad, you would wake me up Come on, booboo, it's time! Let's go out to the livingroom and watch the LoonyToons show! that was on every Saturday morning. Debbie was already awake and on the couch. Dad would get a kitchen table wooden chair and bring it to in front of the TV, and he would hook his ankles to the bottom wood as Debbie and I sat in the chair and dad would do your sit ups. Dad, Debbie and I laughed at the cartoons and the best part was that you were laughing with us. Then I'd lay down on your back and you would do your push ups, you had to take breaks because you were laughing your ass off with me and Debbie. Road Runner and Pepe le Pew were your favorite.

Dad, you showed me how to be funny, you were the life of every party, even when we were around my mom's Hispanic family that really didn't like white people. Drinking Budweiser even though you hated Budweiser (he liked Miller High Life) You won them over with your personality and your love of hot chile, Freddy Fender, playing cards and drinking beer, and the talent to captivate a room full of people with a funny story that had them all rolling around on the floor laughing.

You never got sloppy drunk or started drunken brawls. You were a happy drunk, you'd take me in your arms and call me your booboo bear and tell me how much you loved me. I didn't care that you're breath smelled like beer and cigarettes, I ran in your arms and you told me how much you loved me and I told you how much I loved you. You gave me a million kisses on my cheeks and forehead, and I kissed your cheeks. I wrapped my arms tight around the back of your neck, you holding me tight in your arms, that was all that mattered to me. Never ever did my dad go on a drunken rage and pick fights with his family, that really never was my dad's style. He was a classy man. An honorable man that lived by a strong morality code he learned from good upbringing, during his 20 yesrs in the US Air Force, and his love of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He was full of love and laughter and he shared this with his family.

My aunts made a batch of extremely hot chile and made some enchiladas for dinner. My mom's sisters stood in the kitchen, waiting to see dad try the hot chile, hoping it would be too much for him and they could watch him cry. Nope, not my dad, he loves hot chile. You took a big bite and asked my mom if there was any leftover red sauce because he'd like more over his enchilada. She passed by her sisters, stuck her tongue out and told them see, told you so! and proceeded to drown his enchiladas with red chile. You ate everything and then sopped up the rest of the chile stuck to the plate with a couple of tortillas. Mom's family were all very impressed.

The next day, we were still visiting my Aunt and Uncle, but they were all at work and dad was bored. You started looking around the house for things to do to be useful, and noticed my uncle's grass was in immediate need to be mowed. So, you got the lawnmower out and began in the front yard. All the neighbors came out and just looked at you. Gave you the creeps so you hurried to finish the front lawn, rinsed and wiped down the mower, and got the mower put back up. You stayed inside the rest of the day. My uncle got home that evening, before he had both feet out of the car, three different neighbors came out of their house to ask hey Ruben, did you know there was a white guy mowing your lawn today? How did you get a white guy to mow your lawn?

Dad when I was growing up, I never had to worry about where my next meal would come from, or if the lights were going to get shut off or if I could get a new pair of tennis shoes because my only pair had a hole in them. If I needed clothes or shoes or school supplies or spending money you gave me what I needed. There was never a question of if you could afford it when it was for important stuff.

Dad, you bought Debbie and I the kind of clothes we wanted so we were dressed like the other kids. We had just moved to Albuquerque from California and he didn't want us to be picked on because our clothes were different. My dad understood how hard it was going to be to for Debbie and me at a school in a new state, and spent money he probably shouldn't have to buy Debbie and me a new school wardrobe. He didn't want his girls getting picked on.

My dad had the best sense of humor. I remember watching movies like Blazing Saddles, Airplane, and The Jerk with him. Dad in the living room watching M*A*S*H cracking sunflower seeds and drinking iced tea from his tin mug, and laughing that laugh if his.

One time, Steve had gone to see ET by himself and thought it was so great, he insisted the entire family should go see it with him again. It was a popular movie, so there wern't 5 seats all together so we had to sit where we could fit. Mom and dad got a seat together, Debbie and I found two seats together, Steve sat by himsrlf two seats down from Debbie and me. Steve kept leaning over people to talk to me and Debbie, so the guy next to me let him switch seats. I couldn't see where mom and dad were, but I knew exactly where they were because I could hear my dad laughing. The part when ET gets drunk and gets smacked down by the refrigerator door, I could hear my dad laughing above everyone else in the theater.

We all lost a piece of ourselves when my mom died, but mom still has a trick up her sleeve... About 4 years after mom died, I truly believe my mom asked for a small favor...please send someone to love and take care of my Gary and my children until we all meet again. Someone kind and sweet, that will take care of my husband and love my children like that were her own. Then God gave us Rosie, She came into our lives like a breath of fresh air. Rosie has a heart of gold just like my mom, and I began to love her like a mom. Dad and Rosie got married and Rosie began calling my sister and me her daughters and my brother her son. She loves us unconditionally and I know that she would do anything for us and we would do anything for her.

Rosie is the best lady! Rosie nursed my dad through his sickness, took as good care of him as my mom would have. She loves me my sister and brother like we are her children. It was Rosie, Toni Rost and I that were present and had the honor of holding my dad's hands as he took his last breath. That is a bond the three of us will share for the rest of our lives. Dad and Rosie would have celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary in August.

I know my mom is preparing a place for all of us to join them, especially a most beautiful place that is extra special for Rosie. In heaven there's only love and I know my mom loves Rosie as much as I do and my mom is so grateful for the love Rosie gives us all since my mom isn't here to do it. One day, we'll all be seated at the big table together again. Until then, I'll be missing all of you.

♥