Jack R. McCoy passed away on May 21st, 2025, after a brief illness. He celebrated his 66th birthday just weeks before his passing.  He was born in Indianapolis, IN on April 20th, 1959. Jack attended Mishawaka High School, received his bachelor's degree from St. Leo's College and his master's through Webster University.

He had been living in Florence, SC since 2013 with his wife of 35 years, Kathy, their three dogs Ondine, Edna, Barkley and their cat, Katze.

Jack retired from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sgt with 30 years of service. He served at overseas bases in Germany, Turkey, and Japan; at Forward Operation Location in Manta, Ecuador; and stateside at Sumter AFB, Shaw AFB, Luke AFB. While in the Air Force he completed his master's degree in human resources which he put to good use when he went to work at Cobham Aerospace in Prescott, AZ, at QVC in Florence, SC and as the Safety Officer for the Florence office of the SC Department of Transportation. After retiring from the Air Force, he also became a dog trainer through Petsmart after taking rescued golden retriever Holly through their training program.  Kathy told him when he adopted a 70lb dog that knew two commands he better learn how to teach her manners.  A lifelong love of dogs was focused into learning to train them.

This led to Jack and Kathy working to raise future service dogs for Canine Companions (Canine.org).  Ondine (Change of Career and our pet), Edna (Change of Career and our pet), Maya (Service Dog/skilled companion to a child), Peace (Facility Dog/working with counselor for abused children), Lacey (future Therapy Dog), and Barkley (current Pup in Program, working with the inmates in a prison program).

Jack enjoyed all things outdoors. He met his wife skydiving at Lugoff Paraflight Club, which was the start of many an adventure.  Their first vacation together involved lessons in driving his Honda Goldwing, time spent canoeing and debates on whether to stay up late to see the sunrise (Kathy's choice) or wake up early to see the sunrise (Jack's choice).  In Texas they learned how to sail a catamaran, how to upright a catamaran that flipped over and how not to argue when learning those things.  After a day of teaching aircraft maintenance, you could find Jack out on the jet ski if the wind was not right for sailing.  Camping trips were a must although in later years renting cabins became more frequent.

Three years in Japan included many camping trips to the Yagan Hot Springs and Kitayamazaki as well as snow skiing in Japanese Alps.  It is safe to say that Jack was an excellent ski instructor because both he and Kathy lived to tell the tale. Jack enjoyed being a crew chief for the F-16 fighter plane and mentoring young Airmen. He started becoming interested in his career as a First Sergeant while serving in Japan.  His next base was Luke AFB in Glendale AZ.  He served out most of his remaining years in the service there with a deployment to the drug interdiction task force in Ecuador.  He loved being a First Sergeant and was proud to wear the diamond on his sleeve that signified that role, although his favorite quote may not have reflected that love to the Airmen when heard shouted through a closed door, "I'll stop being a hardass when you stop being a dumbass!!"

Jack enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle throughout the Southwest, taking many road trips with the members of Central Arizona Road Riders and through the South as a Road Captain (U-Turn) with the Southern Cruisers Riding Club (Pee Dee #093 and Hartsville #319).  The Tail of the Dragon, the Blue Ridge Parkway on over to Suches, GA have many a road traveled.  His only regret was not getting to ride from the Florida Keys all the way to Alaska.

Jack is survived by his wife Kathy, sister Jenny (Gregg) Hinsey, niece Amber (Chris) Weed, aunts Lynn Machen, Nancy (Dave) Mellinger and Gisela Bischl, cousins Lilo (Hartwig) Louis, Katrin Bischl, Uwe Bischl, Michaela Weber, loving in-laws, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Jim and Hedi McCoy. Waiting at the Rainbow Bridge were many pets but leading the pack were Holly and Sable.

In lieu of flowers Jack would be honored if donations were made in his name to Canine Companions (Canine.org).

A Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Francis Marion Freshwater Ecology center.  Receiving line begins at 2pm. See the other details in the Evite.

Please RSVP for Celebration of Life using the Evite link :  https://evite.me/HS2d4hZcdV

High Flight

"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air.... Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace. Where never lark, or even eagle flew — And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, – Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."