"I had the pleasure of meeting Tim through our mutual business connections in 1978. He was one of the kindest and genuinely caring human beings I?ve ever known. Though I lost contact with him many years ago, I?ll never forget the many ?lessons? he taught me that contributed to my successes in the financial services industry. Rest in Peace, my friend. Steve Kramen"
In loving memory of
Charles H "Tim" McCoy
October 12, 1924 - December 28, 2019
Charles H "Tim" McCoy passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2019. He was born in San Angelo, Texas in 1924 to J Harrell McCoy and Capitola Boatwright and moved at an early age to Dalhart. From there, his family moved to Lubbock and then to Dallas. After graduating from High School in 1941, Tim enlisted in the US Navy in November 1941 going thru basic training in San Diego, CA. He retired in 1965 as an Officer having served in submarines, submarine rescue vessels, submarine tenders, deep sea diver training officer and submarine support activities of the Pacific Fleet. During his career, he was awarded 16 medals of citations including the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
When Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941, Tim was immediately shipped to Pearl Harbor arriving 5 days after the bombing. He was assigned aboard the USS Trout (SS-202) and on its 2nd War Patrol from January - March 1942 with a volunteer crew sailed for Corregidor in the Philippines carrying a heavy load of anti-aircraft ammunition urgently needed by the beleaguered forces of General Douglas MacArthur. Over 2 nights, the crew unloaded the ammunition to help defend the Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor. The crew then loaded 20 tons of gold, silver and securities of the Philippine government's treasury and successfully returned to Pearl Harbor. Tim and the crew were awarded the Silver Star (Army Award) "for gallantry in action and participation in the accomplishment of an unusual and hazardous mission for the War Department in enemy-controlled waters" along with Presidential Unit Citations from both the Navy and Army.
Subsequently, Tim was re-assigned to the USS Grenadier (SS-210). During its 6th War Patrol, while hunting in the Strait of Malacca, Grenadier was discovered on April 20, 1943, attacked and damaged by enemy aircraft. Losing all power and lighting, the submarine sank and settled at the bottom at 270 feet while leaking badly and fires burning. After nearly a day of laying on the bottom and against all odds, the crew was able to contain the damage to sufficiently raise the sub but was vulnerable on the surface and unable to dive. Two Japanese ships headed towards them while an enemy plane attacked the stricken submarine. The crew scuttled the boat and were picked up by the Japanese and taken to Penang, Malay States, where they were questioned, beaten, given the "water cure" torture and starved before being sent to other prison camps in Singapore and Japan. Throughout the war working as slave labor, Tim and the crew suffered brutal, inhumane treatment, and their refusal to reveal military information both frustrated and angered their captors.
Tim's deep religious faith kept him going thru these horrendous years as a POW. Upon his liberation at the end of the war, he never held a grudge towards the Japanese people as he stated they were only doing what their government instructed. In fact, he strongly believed in reconciliation and forgiveness. Tim often quoted "To forgive is to set the prisoner free only to discover the prisoner was you". For the torture and suffering endured, he received the Purple Heart.
At his retirement ceremony at Sub Base Pearl Harbor, Rear Admiral E.B. Fluckey presented Tim with a commendation which read in part "His motivation, dedication and loyalty has been recognized by many Unit Commanders of all of the Armed Forces and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."
Tim owned an insurance agency from 1950 - 1965 and maintained the agency throughout his distinguished naval career. After retiring in 1965, he helped found a life insurance company and was also marketing director for several others including National Western Life here in Austin. In 1973, he established NEAT Management Group which has grown to be one of the most successful national insurance brokerage firms in the industry.
Tim was a Mason for over 70 years being a member of the Blue Lodge, York Rite and Shrine. He helped organize and served as the first Commander of the Texas Capitol City Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War. Tim also help found several churches over his lifetime including Austin Baptist Church and served as a deacon. He has spoken to groups all around the United States on motivation and especially enjoyed speaking in school systems teaching children freedom is not free. Tim has been an inspiration and mentor to many of all ages while living a life of generosity and giving himself away to others. His motto was "press onward and upward".
Tim is survived by his beloved and devoted wife Jean whom he married in 1946 and have had 73 wonderful years together, his son Tim J McCoy & wife Mara, grandchildren including Aaron McCoy & wife Wendy, Shea McCoy & wife Amy, Ryder McCoy, Caree' Gordon & husband Andy and great grandchild Jeremiah Gordon. Tim was predeceased by his oldest son Bob C. "Chuck" McCoy.
Tim's family extends their heartfelt love and gratitude to Janie Nowak for her devoted care the last 5 years, the many friends who visited him often and the staff at Westminster's Arbour Health Center. Graveside service will be held on Friday, January 3, 2020 at 9:00 AM at the Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota St., Austin TX 78702. A memorial service will follow on Friday, January 3, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Austin Baptist Church, 7016 Ribelin Ranch Dr, Austin, TX 78750. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tim's honor to Austin Baptist Church or Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Tributes
"Thankyou for posting some of Tim's fabulous life events, he was a true American hero, I will share your words to my fellow submarine brothers. We will keep tim and his family in our prayers RIP Sir, rest your ears we have the watch."
"Prayers and condolences to the McCoy family cam girls USS Baya SS / AGSS 318"
"Semper Fortis. Sailor, rest your oar. My condolences to the family. Frank Maciuska USSV Buffalo Base"
"It was an honor to be friends with Tim for many years. A true gentleman with a generous spirit and a huge compassionate heart. Years ago, i was recovering from surgery, Tim called me everyday around to keep my spirits up and wish me well for many weeks in a row. Tim provided inspiration to everyone that crossed his path. He was admired by all who knew him. He will be long remembered by me and the many lives he touched over his long journey on earth. Dale McConnell"
"To To the Family of Charles ?Tim? McCoy, As a fellow Submariner I would like to extend to the family my heartfelt sympathy in your time of great sorrow. Few men have been held in as high esteem as those who have served in the Submarine Service especially those that served during World War II and as ?Brothers of the Phin? we honor Tim as he leaves on Eternal Patrol. I am grateful I have had the opportunity to visit and get to know Tim over the last few years. He was a true hero of the Submarine Service, an inspiration and a model American. Thank you Tim for your service ?Above and Beyond the Call of Duty?. My thoughts are with the family of Tim, and I extend my deepest sympathy. Phil Jaskoviak United States Submarine Veterans Dallas Texas Base "
"Tim was a mentor, friend and inspiration to me my whole life. Some of my earliest memories are of hunting in Llano with my Pop and Uncle Bill and Tim. When I enlisted in the Navy in 1988, Tim told me ?go Submarines boy, you?ll never regret it?, and I never did. He administered my reenlistment oath at my final reenlistment, before I became an LDO just like him. I served 2 tours of duty at Naval Submarine Base Point Loma, according to Tim, when that base was transferred from Army to Navy possession he was one of the two officers that signed the papers. I have shared that story with many a submariner. When I ?got my dolphins? in 1991, we traded, he gave me his old dolphins and I gave him my shiny new ones!He truly defined for me what it meant to be part of the greatest generation! I have no doubt that he is at this very moment regaling God himself with a colorful story of his exploits in the Navy!God Bless your family and Fair Winds and Following Seas to a True Submariner!"
"Charles was my oldest cousin, my hero from about age 5 and my image of what a good man should be. I remember cage at grandma McCoy home ,the family worrying about his life while a prisoner. I remember when he an jean married and came to grandma's home in meadow Texas. So much to remember of this fine man. His faith,his life and his love of family,and country..so much to say about him. So little space to tell it...loved my cousin!!!! "
"As Pastor of St. Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, Catholic Church, Caldwell, Texas, and a member of the Naval Submarine League, Pacific Chapter, I want to express my most sincere regards in the passing of a notable leader and faithful submariner, Charles McCoy. I received an email from NSL and I want to share my prayerful attention to all in the McCoy family and be assured in my Masses at my Parish he will be regarded in my intentions this month. Though I did not go out to sea, my brief time of service surely left impressions of men and women who made great sacrifices in honor of country and security of homeland. Now, he goes to the homeland of God, his Kingdom, which is Eternal--Eternal Patrol, good friend. My always faithful regards to the family: Rev. Melvin Dornak"
"My heart felt condolences to the family of "Skeeter" McCoy. I am the daughter of one of his USS Grenadier crew members, EMC Charles E. Johnson. These brave men endured so much during their captivity and they grew close like a family. Dad would tell us stories about the things they would get into and we would laugh. He very rarely talked about the abuse and torture they endured until later in his life. My uncle was Norman Albertsen, who was also a crew member on the Grenadier, married Dad's sister after the war. Dad always tried to stay in touch with the crew through conventions and by phone. He always talked fondly of "Skeeter". Now all of the Grenadier crew are on eternal patrol as Skeeter was the last surviving crew member. I would like to hear from the family so please feel free to contact me."
"I felt deep sorrow when I learned of Mr. McCoy's passing but I find joy and comfort in knowing that he is with the Lord enjoying the fruits of his belief and trust in Jesus Christ. I first met Mr. McCoy at Hyde Park Baptist Church. He was one of my Sunday School teachers during my Junior and High School years. My parents clearly were major influences in my life but Mr. McCoy has also been an inspiration through out my life. I contribute many of my successes in life to him a few others. Unknowing to me at the time, Mr. McCoy taught me how to handle the many adversities I would and will encounter in my life, as well as how to enjoy the freedom and employ the liberty of life in this County. This has been important yes, but the most important thing Mr. McCoy helped to teach me was how to love, trust and depend on God in my life. Mr. McCoy always made me laugh too. He is a good friend and mentor that will be greatly missed. "Onward and Upward" Tim, we will carry on! George Calhoun"
"Jean, you and your family are in my prayers, and I hope and pray that it is a comfort to you to know that Tim is with our Heavenly Father now. The two of you truly had a remarkable marriage, and I know that you were each other?s love of a lifetime. Tim was the personification of everything that ?The Greatest Generation? stood for as he lived a life of loyalty, honor, dignity, perseverance, love of God and country, love of family, and generosity. I will also never forget his wonderful sense of humor as he tried to be the first one to tell my dad the latest Aggie joke. I know that Tim, Bill and my dad are reunited now in heaven, and are entertaining everyone with their travel stories. Your Tim will never be forgotten and his life will live on in the memories of everyone who knew him and loved him. God bless you. Much love, Claudia & Gary Taylor"