Leo T Coy (Hartville)'s Obituary
Leo Thomas Coy, son of Charlie and Tishie Merritt Coy, was born on January 27, 1932 near Ava, Missouri. The Lord called him home Thursday morning, January 25, 2018 at his home in Hartville, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of eighty-five years, eleven months, and twenty-nine days.
On March 5, 1955, Leo was united in marriage to Jean Dixon and to this union two children were born.
Leo is preceded in death by his parents; his twin sister, Edith Deck; a brother, Pete Coy; and a half-brother, Robert Stanifer.
Leo is survived by his loving wife, Jean Coy of the home; two sons, Norman and his wife Rhonda, of Hartville, Missouri and Gary Coy and his wife Charisse, of Hartville, Missouri; two grandchildren, Heath Coy and his wife Lacy, of Niangua, Missouri and Whitney Bevan and her husband Chris, of Lawton, Oklahoma; three great-grandchildren, Macie and Logan Bevan, and Hunter Coy; a half-brother, Carl Stanifer, of Ava, Missouri; and many nieces, nephews, and caring friends.
Leo was born and raised near Ava. When he was just thirteen he started working full time mixing concrete to support his family. When he was seventeen years old he moved to Iowa to find work. In 1952 he was drafted into the Army and served until 1954 during the Korean War. After Leo was discharged he started working at the Steel Plant in Bettendorf, Iowa and worked there for 20 years before retiring and moving back to Missouri. Leo was saved and baptized when he was twenty-three years old just after he and Jean were married. In 1956 he was ordained as a deacon and served for fifty-seven years with two different churches.
Leo and his brother-in-law, Wayne, opened up C&D Electric and ran it together for many years. Later, Leo and Jean opened up a hardware store called Coy’s Hardware and they ran it together for fifteen years. After retiring from the hardware store, Leo would go to the Care Center a couple times a week to witness and spread the Lord’s word to people willing to listen. While there he would also lead singings for people to enjoy.
Leo enjoyed singing. He belonged to a quartet and sang at many different services throughout his life. He loved reading his Bible regularly, having read the entire New Testament three times in just six months. He also loved his family very much, always wanting to spend time with them whenever he could. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and caring friend. We will always cherish the many happy memories he created.
Memorials can be made to Gideon Bibles, through HHFH, PO Box 236, Hartville, Mo. 65667
What’s your fondest memory of Leo?
What’s a lesson you learned from Leo?
Share a story where Leo's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Leo you’ll never forget.
How did Leo make you smile?
