James Michael McCoy

Michael was educated in the Ohio school system and attended East High School. During his teenage years, Michael loved to roller skate and was the king of the roller rink at Rollerland in Columbus, Ohio. After high school, Michael married Mildred Holliday and from that union Michael became a father for the first time with the birth of his eldest child and name sake James Michael McCoy, Jr.

In December 1965, Michael enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California. While living in California, Mike met Sharon Lee of Los Angeles. They courted for many years and their union produced two daughters Dawn Michele and Lori Renee Jacqueline. After completing three tours of duty in Vietnam and sustaining an injury, Michael was honorably discharged from the military in 1970.

Michael was very charismatic and an avid dancer, the popular street dance pop locking was his forte. He was a guest on the popular show Soul Train several times. A proud Buckeye, Michael loved to visit Ohio as often as possible and cherished the time he spent visiting his mother. He also loved to fish, hunt and watch western movies.

In the late ‘70s Michael met the love of his life Risa Jo. From their union, Michael’s youngest son Kelly James was born. They lived in the San Fernando Valley for many years. After a lengthy illness Michael received his wings on March 22, 2016 in the home he and Risa shared in Cathedral City, California.

Michael is preceded in death by his father Paul Pettis Sr., stepfather James Edward McCoy, brothers Paul Pettis Jr. and Edward B. McCoy, and his grandson James Michael McCoy III. He is survived by his children, James Michael McCoy Jr., Damier Michele Xandrine, Lori McCoy Shuler and her husband Von, Kelly James McCoy and his wife Michelle, his mother Margaret McCoy, his sisters: Joyce Pettis, Dorothy Pettis, Leneva Cason, Carroll Haag, Roberta Smith and her husband Evans and Minda Kay McCoy, and his beloved companion of many years Risa. He also leaves to cherish his memories his closest friends, who are more like his brothers, E. Lamont Ransom and his wife Tina, and David Aaron Ransom and his wife Renee, his stepson Damien Wesley Clark Goodmon, several nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and a host of special friends.