Michael B. Coy

CW4 (Retired) Michael Brian Coy, 64, lost his battle with Alzheimer’s and went home to be with our Lord on December 10, 2018. Michael was born in Ontario, California, and his hometown was Canton, Ohio. He was a resident of Dale City, Virginia.

Michael is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Kay Lynn Coy. Their much-loved children are Reverend Jessica A. Johnson and her husband, 1SG (Retired) Kevin M. Johnson, and Major Christopher M. Coy and his wife, Heather N. Coy, OTR. His three surviving grandchildren are Ivan J. Coy, Blake C. Johnson, and Cody H. Johnson. He is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Carrie A. Johnson.

He is also survived by five siblings: Sharon (husband, Wayne) Wallace, Craig Coy (partner, Patti), Roseanne (husband, David, preceded) Thorn, Kevin Coy, and Shelley (husband, Abdollah) Golshani. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey E. Coy and Lillian L. Coy.

Michael and Kay met in their high school youth group and fell in love. They attended Johnson Bible College together and were married in 1974. Mike graduated with a degree in ministry in 1976. After college, Michael served as a minister with Go Ye Chapel Mission in New York. He also served as minister of the Jeffersonville Church of Christ in Ohio. He enjoyed teaching Bible studies.

For 28 years, Michael served the U.S. Army. During Desert Storm, he worked at the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis in Washington State. It was a difficult task to support the war effort while drawing down a division. He prayed over every set of orders. Being one of the last to leave the 9th, he joked he would be the one "to turn out the lights". Michael found his most meaningful assignment working in the U.S. Army Awards Branch directly after 9/11. Always a kind man, he became even kinder after 9/11. Part of his job was reading all the stories of rescues especially from the Pentagon, all of which he kept secret until he died. He lost 23 colleagues that day. During his years of military service, he lived and served in the United States, The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Korea.

Michael loved to run. Once he set a goal of running the Marine Corps Marathon. He began by running many 10-K races and a half-marathon. Often the song, "Runner" by Twila Paris would be in his mind. On the day of the marathon, he got a cramp about mile 13. He finished the race with the help and encouragement of a friend. The day that the doctors told him that he could no longer run was a blow. He compensated by walking the dog.

Michael loved music, especially The Carpenters. He enjoyed singing in choirs, and one of his happiest times was singing for the Pageant of Peace at Christmas time in Washington D.C.

Michael was known for his smile. He loved to laugh. Puns were his specialty. He taught and lived that joy was a choice we make. His eternal optimism was shown by his choosing to be a Redskins fan. His smile came from his faith in Christ. Even in his later years, the nurses and medical staff would remark on his smile as he listened to music or watched a butterfly in the garden. Joy was found in simple things.

On April 23, 2019, there will be a short memorial service at 6 pm officiated by Rick Fulton at Miller Funeral Home, 3200 Golansky Blvd., Woodbridge, VA 22192 followed by visitation until 8 pm.

On April 24, 2019, interment will be at 9 am at Old Post Chapel, Arlington National Cemetery.

If you would like, in lieu of flowers, you can send donations to the Class of 1976 fund at Johnson University, 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998 or to the Tennessee State Veterans Home, 345 Compton Rd., Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

From Romans 8:37-38 (NASB): "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."