It is with tremendous sadness that the family of Bishop Eugene B. McCoy, age 84, announces the passing of our dear husband, father, step father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, Christian leader, community leader and friend on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at the Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, MI.
He was born August 17, 1933 in Lexington, KY the son of Andrew McCoy and Edith (Compton) McCoy.
He was enlisted in the U S Marine Corps from 1953-56 during the Korean Conflict attaining the rank of Corporal. He graduated high school from Flint Northern High School, Western Michigan University in 1959 with a music degree, and received his Master of Arts degree in Public School Administration from Eastern Michigan University in 1965.
Eugene founded the church originally naming it the Open Door Community Church of God in Christ, from 1972 until 2008 when he became Pastor Emeritus. Eugene had been the Senior Minister of Faith Assembly Christian Fellowship in Battle Creek. He received his Bible training from the Church of God in Christ. He established Project Respect (reaching every single parent even children too in 1982, founded the Sojourner Truth Leadership Academy for the At-Risk in 1990; established the Youth Alive Ministries (YAM) to engage youth ministry in 1992. He was Dean of the National Music Department of the Church of God in Christ for over 25 years; there he was the principal teacher in the National Workshops reaching over 50,000 young people. He accepted an invitation to the first Congress in Washington, DC of the “Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops. He was an accomplished writer for the Michigan Chronicle and the Ypsilanti Press and published two books: Climbing Up the Mountain – The Life and times of a Musical Legend and the Official Music Handbook for the National Music Department of the Church of God in Christ. In 1984 Bishop McCoy received the prestigious “Man of the Year” award by the Battle Creek Chapter of the Negro Business and Professional Women’s Association. In their opinion, “McCoy’s community contributions were unparalleled.”
In an article in the Lansing State Journal, ln Oct. 30, 1968 having been the first Black Educator in Howell, MI; “McCoy’s success in Howell undoubtedly stems a great deal from his own personality and outlook on life.”
With the Battle Creek Public Schools he was an Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent over the Title One program over 20 years and served as Principal of former Lincoln Elementary School. He loved music, traveling, adored his grandchildren, celebrating Christmas, doing yardwork, loved reading and had written four books.
He was a past member of the Community Action Agency board of directors, Council of the Boy Scouts of America SW Michigan, Battle Creek Rotary Club, charter member of the BC Area International Relations Committee and charter member of the BC Ambassadors; former chairman of BC Human Relations Committee, former member of the Ecumenical Council for International Understanding at the U of M; former member of Michigan Association of State and Federal Program Specialist and President of Motivational Learning Concepts, Inc.
He married the former Pearline Annette Fields in Kalamazoo, MI on August 4, 2009. Bishop McCoy is survived by his wife of Battle Creek; his son: Pastor Christopher J. (Denise R.) McCoy of Battle Creek, MI; his daughter-in-law: Jennifer J. McCoy of Lansing, MI; a special sons: Larry E. Caper of DeWitt, MI; Herman Phillips of Kalamazoo, MI; three stepsons: Darryl W. (Rotunda) Poplar of Kalamazoo, MI; Arthur (Gloria) Poplar, Jr. of Douglasville, GA; Anthony T. Poplar of Kalamazoo, MI; a step-daughter: Veronica L. Poplar of Kalamazoo, MI; one brother: Jack McCoy of Dallas, TX; six grandchildren: Evan Eugene (Aubree) McCoy; Christopher Jay McCoy II; Stefan Edmond McCoy all of Battle Creek; Sidney Denise Doris McCoy of Kalamazoo, MI; Taylor Jaye McCoy of Grand Rapids, MI; Sierra Elise McCoy of Lansing, MI; two God-sons: Martin Eugene Austin of Chicago, IL and Aaron (Dawn) Chisolm of Phoenix, AZ; six great grandchildren: Braylen Joseph McCoy; Rylin Joy McCoy; Kenzington Mae McCoy; Adrielle Jaye McCoy; Sofia Janae Rose McCoy; and Carter Jae McCoy. Special cousins: Florence Moore, Deloris Jane White, Rita Pearson; his Best friend: Donald Atkinson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, spiritual sons and daughters, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Doris McCoy on February 8, 2008, his parents, his daughter: Gwendolyn Walker; his son: Steven Eugene McCoy Jan. 1, 2016, and his brother James McCoy.
Visitation will be held at Faith Assembly Christian Fellowship, 400 West Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek on Sunday, August 19th from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Funeral services commemorating the life and times of Bishop McCoy at 11:00 AM Monday August 20th at the First Assembly of God, located at 800 South 24th Street, Battle Creek with Bishop J. Louis Felton officiating. Burial will follow at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI. Memorial tributes may be made to: New Level Sports Youth Village, 400 West Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49037. Arrangements by the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, a member by invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes. (269)965-5145. Please leave a remembrance for the family at Bishop McCoy’s webpage at www.bachmanhebble.com