Hugh Ben McCoy

Hugh Ben McCoy, age 97, of Pella and formerly of Lovilia and Oskaloosa, passed away Saturday morning, October 24, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Hugh Ben McCoy, son of Hugh Ben and Nyna (Burnham) McCoy, was born March 25, 1918, in Des Moines, Iowa. He was raised and educated in Oskaloosa. He attended Kemper Military School in Boonville, MO and then, following in his father’s footsteps, he went to the University of Iowa for his law degree. November 10, 1942, he joined the Army Air Corp and was a B-24 Pilot in the Pacific Theatre. He was discharged, July 8, 1946, a Captain with the 371st Bombardment Squadron. He returned to Oskaloosa and joined his uncle, John McCoy,in his law firm. The firm then continued under its previous name, McCoy & McCoy, after the untimely death of his father. Later, after his uncle retired, Hugh joined the firm of Bray and Carson. Bray, Carson & McCoy would eventually evolve into McCoy, Faulkner & Broerman. Hugh served many years as the city attorney for Oskaloosa. He retired at age 80, in 1998. While serving in the Air Corp, he married Lucille Cook, June 1, 1943, at Camp McCain, Mississippi. He and Lucille made their home in Oskaloosa and raised three sons. Lucille passed away in 1976. Hugh found love a second time and married Louise Golec of Lovilia, Oct. 1, 1995. They made their home in Lovilia until 2011 when they moved to Vriendschap Village in Pella. Hugh’s hobby was farming and conservation of the land was his passion. He was never happier than when he could get out on his tractor and soak in the views, fresh air and serenity that his farms offered. He also loved history and travelled the world to visit historic sites. Ben was a member of the Iowa Bar Association, Farm Bureau, and a 76-year member of the Elks. Hugh’s family includes his wife, Louise of Pella; three sons: Robert (Margaret) McCoy of Coeur d’Alene, ID; James (Vida) McCoy of Pella, IA and S. Michael (Julie) McCoy of San Antonio, TX; and eight grandchildren: Michelle, Molly, Jennifer, Claire, Benjamin, William, Matthew and Garrett. He was blessed with two great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and his first wife, Lucille, Hugh was preceded in death by a sister, Nyna June Baker. Graveside Funeral Services for Hugh Ben will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, October 30, at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Those wishing to attend should meet at Garland-Van Arkle-Langkamp Funeral Chapel to form a procession that will leave for the cemetery at 10:45 a.m. Military honours will be presented by the Iowa National Guard Honor Guard Program and the Oskaloosa Honor Guard. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 5-7 p.m. to greet visitors.

Hugh Ben McCoy

March 25, 1918 - October 24, 2015