"Dear Janice, Thanks for sending us the notice of Darrell's death. He was my best friend during college years and I continued to think of him as a close friend as we went our separate ways following school. I am sure your life will change now and you have our best wishes as you go forward without Darrell. We miss not being able to stop and see him and regret we hadn't been your way for a while. Give our condolences to the rest of your family and our wishes for them. Yours truly, Mel and Rosanne Tone"
In loving memory of
Darrell Dean Coy
July 21, 1930 - March 2, 2019
Darrell Dean Coy, age 88, of Ames, Iowa died at his home on March 2, 2019.
Darrell was born July 21, 1930 in Kellerton, Iowa, the son of Charles Andrew and Alice Marie (Bryant) Coy. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1954 he graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He married Janice Louise Rinker on June 13, 1954, in Grand Junction, Iowa. He spent two years in the US Air Force then served in the Air Force Reserve. He worked for 36 years as a civil engineer for the Iowa Department of Transportation doing preliminary bridge design.
Darrell was very mechanically minded and shared those talents generously with friends and family. In the early 1960's, together with good friends in Ames, he built a beautiful home for his family that his wife Janice designed on a lot just outside Ames, where he spent the rest of his life. He enjoyed helping others and spent time with his children working on cars, building projects, and supporting their efforts in school and Girl and Boy Scouts. He and his wife enjoyed traveling in Iowa and beyond, sharing their love of birds and nature. Fascinated with advances in aerospace engineering, Darrell loved tracking the work of NASA. One of his pleasures was stepping outdoors at night to watch the space station travel across the sky when it was visible from Ames.
Darrell is survived by his wife, Janice Rinker Coy of Ames, and their children, Janet (John) Hofmeyer of Oelwein, Julie Ann Coy (Peggy Hill) of Denver, CO, Doug Coy of Ames, and daughter-in-law Kayleen Park of Naperville, Il. Darrell is also survived by six grandchildren, Jennifer Curtis, Joy Koopmans, Jeanette Hofmeyer, John Hofmeyer IV, Brandon Coy and Mira Coy as well as six great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Don, his sister Mary, and 3 half-siblings; and in October 2018 by his son, Daniel Charles Coy.
A gathering of friends and family will be held from 4-6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa. The funeral service has been arranged for 11:00 am on Friday March 8, at Collegiate Presbyterian Church,159 Sheldon Ave., Ames, Iowa. There will be a luncheon at the church, followed by burial at Ames Municipal Cemetery in Ames, Iowa.
Memorials may be directed to YSS, PO Box 1628, Ames, Iowa 50010 (www.yss.org).
Online condolences may be shared atwww.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com.
Tributes
"Jan, Janet, Julie and Doug - when Julie shared news the passing of another childhood friends parent passing the memories came flooding through my mind. As a bus student from state street gang, girl scouts, talks in the kitchen with Darrell over cars or anything over the years. The sledding parties on the back hill to the creek cocoa, girl scouts... My thoughts and prayers to all of you for your loss of dad and husband. Jan i would love to make a time to come and visit. I am sorry I missed the visitation and unable to make the funeral. Judy Brink Brown "
"Julie - sorry to hear of the death of your father. Just want you to know that my wife and I are thinking of you and your family. Mike and Nikki Wittmer"
"I always enjoyed having lunch with Mr Coy and his wife during the summer Donor Luncheons at Girl Scout Camp Sacajawea. It was a privilege to have had an opportunity to share his ideas of camp structures and planning. He was always very gracious and kind. My heartfelt sympathy to the family."
"I worked with Darrell in the Bridge Design Dept. for many years, a kind man and always helpful. I was fascinated to learn he was a track star in his youth, short but fast. Some fond memories of our trips to the Osh Kosh, WI air show and his knowledge of aircraft. A good man and nothing but fond memories, one of the best. Doug Warrings Eureka Springs, AR"
"I worked with Darrell when I started at the DOT. He was always very kind. My sympathies to Doug and all of you. "
"The. Family has truly lost a great man. You will be missed"