Donald Hugh McCoy, 87, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, May 23, 2024 at his home.

The son of the late James Verl and Vivian Gayle (Beever) McCoy, he was born October 7, 1936 in Shattuck, Oklahoma. He was also preceded in death by one granddaughter, Allison Nikole Pfeiffer and one grandson, Shane William Ferguson. On May 16, 1964 in Halstead, Kansas, Donald was united in marriage to Carol Gay McElwain.

Don is survived by his wife Carol of sixty years; his two adopted children, Ann Marie Ferguson of Kirksville, MO, and Shawn Michael McCoy and wife Misty of Columbia, MO; two brothers, Dennis McCoy of Pueblo, CO, and James McCoy of Aurora, CO; two grandchildren, Kaitlyn LeAnn and Asher James; and nieces and nephews.

Don was a graduate of Wichita County Community High School with the Class of 1955, and received an Associate in Science Degree from Dodge City Community College in 1957 and a Bachelor's degree from St. Mary of the Plains College in 1963, Dodge City, Kansas, after completing a clinical internship in clinical laboratory technology at St. Frances Hospital, Wichita, Kansas. As a life-long leaner, Don graduated in 1995 from Loyola University in New Orleans with a Master of Pastoral Studies.

Don worked over forty years in healthcare. He was chief technologist at the Hertzler Clinic in Halstead, Kansas. In 1969 he accepted a position at Kirksville Osteopathic Hospital as the Administrative Director of Clinical pathology laboratory class. Employed by Grim-Smith Hospital in 1974, he managed the clinical laboratory until transferring to a new position as coordinator of Safety and Regulatory Affairs. Don's role was to ensure the hospital met the non-clinical standards for hospital licensing and accreditation. A qualified OSH outreach safety instructor, Don coordinated safety training for hospital staff. After retiring in 2000, Moberly Community College appointed Don to the adjunct faculty; teaching philosophy and industrial safety.

Don studies voice in high school and college and performed in several musical productions. After moving to Kirksville, Don became involved in the music ministry of Mary Immaculate and served as a member and chaired the parish counsel. Appointed to represent the Kirksville Deanery to the Diocesan Pastoral Council. He served on the religious education committee and was elected as chair of the council. He attended a Cantor's School, sponsored by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, in Rochester, New York. The training and experience profoundly affected Don; for the next number of years, he proclaimed the Responsorial Psalm during liturgical celebrations and shared his knowledge with other music ministers.

Elected as Director of the Adair County Ambulance District, Don served as the first Board Chair and later as Secretary. During his years of service, promoted improving ambulance service for Adair County residents; the establishing an accredited training program for paramedics and EMT's, accreditation of the district, and encouraged continuing education of the staff. Collaborating with a long-time friend specializing in emergency medical services law, Don authored a Board Operation and Planning Manual. Don's memberships included American Society of Medical Technologists, National Association of Pastoral Musicians, Jefferson City Chapter. Mary Immaculate Parish Council (served as Chair), Deanery Representative Diocese of Jefferson City Pastoral Council (served as President), and of Kirksville Planning and Zoning Committee. Don enjoyed woodworking, model railroading, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kirksville, Missouri with Monsignor Marion Makarewich presiding. Family will receive friends for one hour prior to Mass. Interment in Mary Immaculate Catholic Cemetery in Kirksville, will follow Mass,

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Don may be made to the Adair County Pantry or to Mary Immaculate Catholic Church and may be left at the church the day of the service or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.