Dr. Joseph Hamilton McCoy

Dr. Joseph Hamilton “Joe” McCoy, of Abingdon, Va., passed away Sunday, August 4th, 2024. Dr. McCoy was 90 years of age, born in Johnson City, Tenn., May 7th, 1934.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Hobert McKinley McCoy and Bessie Earnest Love McCoy; as well as his brother, Charles Edward McCoy, all of Johnson City; and his nephew, Barry L. McCoy. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Joanna “Megan” McCoy Neurauter, earlier this year.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 1/2 years, Helen “Beth” Perkinson McCoy, of Abingdon, Va.; his son, Jason Scott McCoy, of Wilmington, N.C.; and his grandson, Jerome “Jerry” Hamilton Neurauter of Charlotte, N.C.

As a young boy, Joe developed lifelong interests in music, sports and chemistry. At Science Hill High School, he was elected both Band Captain and manager of the Hilltopper Basketball team his senior year. He was an excellent drummer and played percussion in the E&H orchestra. He always wanted to play bagpipes and the banjo. He kept varsity stats in 1952 when the Toppers advanced to the state tournament in Memphis, thus developing his lifelong interest in the “March Madness” college playoffs.

Dr. McCoy graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Chemistry in 1956 from ETSU, whereupon he was offered a Teaching Assistantship at Michigan State University, East Lancing, while he worked on his doctorate. During graduate school he worked summer jobs at Tennessee Eastman Research Labs in Kingsport, Tenn., and at DuPont Corporation Textile Fiber Labs in Waynesboro, Va.

Upon completion of his doctorate in 1962, he was hired full-time as a chemist by DuPont. In 1964 he was hired full-time as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Emory & Henry College. He taught there 32 years before his retirement in 1996, followed by 10 more years teaching Chemistry at Virginia Highlands Community College. Additional studies included a National Science Foundation fellowship at Tufts University in 1968, a summer at the Oak Ridge Nuclear Studies, and a year teaching Quantum Analysis while serving as a visiting professor at N.C. State University, Raleigh, in 1983. Dr. McCoy delighted in teaching “Kids’ Chem” through the Washington County Gifted and Talented Program to children at Greendale and Meadowview schools. Teachers and students who participated in his Kids’ Chem programs still talk about how wonderful they were, especially when he kissed his wife on stage, completing a circuit and making a bulb light up.

In addition to his teaching career, Joe served as financial secretary, as well as a member of the choir and handbell ensemble, of Emory United Methodist Church. He was active for years in the Emory Service Project. A Boy Scout all his life, he served Troop 13 for years as a Scout Master. He completed the Wood Badge program in the Sequoia Council and in the Summer of 1969 he was selected as an Assistant Scout Master to attend the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Coeur d’Alene, Ida.

In retirement Joe enjoyed attending E&H football games, attending Sunday School and worship at Abingdon United Methodist Church, joining the Abingdon Civitans, working in his yard and garden, taking his wife for a spin in the 1967 Pontiac Firebird they dated in, and playing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. During several winters in Phoenix, Joe and Beth participated in Muhammed Ali Parkinson’s Center classes, Tremble Clef Arizona Choir and Parkinson’s Dance. Joe and Beth traveled to European several times, to England numerous times, including touring Featherstone Castle and much of Scotland, and to Costa Rica on a mission trip. For his “Bucket List” trip and his 89th birthday treat, they vacationed in the Galapagos Islands, with their dear friend, Mark Stewart, joining them. Joe especially enjoyed celebrating his 90th birthday with friends and family.

Special thanks go to the nurses and doctors at Johnston Memorial Hospital, especially Dr. Laddie Crisp, to the Amedisys Home Health Care staff, especially Steve Warner, the Bristol Rehab staff, and the Caris Hospice staff. Special home health aides so appreciated during Joe’s last week are Andrea Bise and Mary McFadden. Because Joe had Parkinson’s Disease, probably for 25+ years, he chose to donate his body to research through Anatomy Gift Registry in Maryland.

The memorial service for Dr. McCoy will be held at Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 E. Main St., Abingdon, Va., Friday, October 4th, at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Paul Seay officiating.  Interment of his ashes will immediately follow in the Holston Conference Cemetery in Emory, Va.  Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

Those wishing to make a donation in Dr. McCoy's memory may choose: Emory & Henry University, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 950, Emory, Va. 24327, or to the Sequoyah Council, Boy Scouts of America, 129 Boone Ridge Dr., Johnson City, Tenn., 37615.