George William McCoy Jr.

George William McCoy, Jr. George McCoy, Jr., of Richmond went to be with his Lord in the early hours of July 13, 2024, at the age of 91. He was born on July 19, 1932, to George and Lola McCoy of Asheville, North Carolina. He received his associate’s degree in liberal arts and pre-engineering at the University of North Carolina-Asheville in 1952 and completed his junior year in math and engineering at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Throughout high school and college, he was an accomplished center fielder and hitter, and was recruited by the Cincinnati Reds farm team. But college and baseball took a backseat when he had to have spinal surgery, which changed the direction of his life. While in the hospital he met Eva Mae Gantt, who was completing her nurse’s training at the hospital. They began dating after her graduation, and six months later they were married, in March 1954. After the birth of their daughter Martha and son George III, they moved to Richmond, where two more daughters, Mary and Elisabeth, were born. George was a devoted husband and father. He had a long and successful career in the printing industry, working his way from apprentice to journeyman, to president of the printer’s union, and then into management. His talents in art, photography, and math made him a respected innovator in color lithography. He was a caring manager and mentor to many over the years, both at W. M. Brown and Company and then at Carter Printing. As much as he enjoyed his work, his happiest years were after his retirement, spending time with his beloved Eva and their growing bunch of grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a talented artist, musician, and gardener, and enjoyed painting, playing his harmonica, and working in his yard. He played hymns for his Eva every day. Married for almost 62 years until her sudden passing in 2015, she was forever the love of his life. Since her passing he has spent time ministering to others through playing hymns and sharing the gospel, loving his family and friends, and looking forward to being reunited with Eva in heaven. He was a man of great faith who loved his Lord Jesus. He is predeceased by his wife Eva and his daughter Elisabeth (Priest) and is survived by his three other children, Martha McCoy (Patrick Scully), George W. McCoy, III (Robin), and Mary Lyons (Roy), and by Elisabeth’s widower (Dana Priest). He is also survived by eleven grandchildren (and 10 grand-spouses), twenty-nine great grandchildren (and one great-grand-spouse), and his beloved niece and nephews. He also leaves his beloved friends Betsy Ashauer and Dede Mayor-Mora, who were like daughters to him, and countless friends and neighbors. His family is grateful for the support provided by Bon Secours Home Healthcare over the years (especially from his cherished Physical Therapist Aryn Carlson), the wonderful companionship he received through Naborforce, and the extraordinary care (over the past months) from BrightStar caregivers and the team at Bon Secours Hospice. His family is also grateful for the faithful ministry of Richmond’s First Baptist Church. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, July 17, at The Parham Chapel-Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd. (at Three Chopt and Parham Rd.) from 4-7 pm. A simple graveside service will be held in Asheville, NC, at Riverside Cemetery, 53 Birch St., Friday, July 19 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church, Richmond VA, at wwwlfbcrichmond.org., or to Bon Secours Hospice, at givebsmh.org/bon-secours-mercy-health-foundation/bon-secours-foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com.