James Earle 'Jim' McCoy

James 'Jim' Earle McCoy (known by McCoy to many), 72, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, in Greenville, S.C. His devoted wife, Wanda, as always was by his side. They had been blessed for 48 years together filled with adventure, happiness, and great enduring love.
McCoy was born in Greenville, SC in 1949 and was the only beloved son of the late BJ (Billy Jones) McCoy and the late Eleanor Chapman McCoy.
McCoy graduated in 1967 from Wade Hampton High School then went on to Clemson University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1971, and a Masters of Science in Engineering Mechanics in 1976. He joined J. E. Sirrine Engineering Company in Dec. 1973. He went on to IDC, Jacobs Engineering, and CH2M-Hill (now CH2M); ending up with Jacobs Engineering before retiring, on and off, beginning first in 2016. He traveled a great deal with each company--first for the pulp and paper industry, then when computer technology changed for the engineering field he helped set up the new technology. His last specialty was in the microelectronics field working with IBM, Microsoft, and Intel.
McCoy and Wanda traveled all over and spent most of their time on the road together working mainly in NY, OR, TX, AZ, VA MA, WY, and UT. They also enjoyed international travel, while McCoy worked in countries like China, Singapore, South Korea, France, and Ireland; and then had personal time in New Zealand, Scotland, Jamaica, and Spain.
They met some amazing and wonderful people, many who became good friends over the years. McCoy’s dry wit, happy and calm demeanor, and gentle smile, but big laugh are mentioned often. Though he loved all Clemson sports, football was his joy. He eagerly looked forward to the first game of the season, agonized through to the bowl games (if Clemson was fortunate), and immediately started into the recruiting information. McCoy loved his Tigers. I’m sure he will be watching every Clemson Tigers game with Wanda--cheering his team on to victory. Perhaps he might even be able to give an assist when greatly needed! Go Tigers!
Another important part of his life was golf. He loved it: any time, any place, any weather. As long as he had a fun partner, he was ready to play. McCoy had a wonderful group of friends in a few places where he played, and he truly was happiest when he played with his buddies. It was fun for him from the 1st tee to the 18th tee. He was funny in that he liked to text Wanda, if she was near an area, to watch them and let her stand by and cheer them all onward to hopefully lots of birdies (at least that was the wish). The “muse” (the group called her) tried but didn’t come through as well as she should have.
Ah, McCoy loved playing weekly poker games with his friends--laughing, talking about any and everything, all the games, and dashing home to count his earnings when he was lucky. He was so much fun to watch counting those coins so carefully--to not get counted in the "Charlie group" (a private joke - sorry).
McCoy’s love of his friends was deep. He loved so many people. He always accepted everyone (including his wife) for who they were, what they did in life and would try to learn their hobbies, whatever, so that they could enjoy talking even more next time.
Then there was birding. McCoy and Wanda loved nature, whales, and birds. He eagerly learned how to ID birds by size, wing shapes, sounds, etc. He was a real birder. He was fun to be with when he was on the hunt for an elusive bird missing on his list. As of last count, they had 593 different birds counted on the continental US. They are very proud of that record. They joined The Nature Conservancy because of their deep love of nature and wanted to protect as much of the land, the plants, and animals that lived there. They love the rivers, lakes, and oceans with the whales and hope that future generations will be able to enjoy such gentle creatures. This is why they ask that in lieu of any flowers, a donation to The Nature Conservancy S.C. Chapter would ensure that the nature McCoy loved so much might continue on as a legacy to him.
Finally, the true passion throughout his wonderful life was his equally adoring and devoted wife, Wanda. They met on a blind date, never dated another person, and then married 10 months later. They were true soulmates and were almost never apart for long. They always held hands every moment they could. They were fortunate in that almost all of their interests were shared by the other (and if not, the other learned that interest when possible); and they always loved to travel together, Wanda always going with McCoy wherever the job took him.
McCoy and Wanda were always happiest just being together. It didn’t matter what they were doing. Theirs was a perfect marriage, blessed by God from the very beginning. They were truly happy.
McCoy loved living each day, as he was patient with each person, calm of temperament, happy, and had a beautiful wit that could appear out of nowhere. McCoy made his wife laugh constantly and gave her such joy and happiness. He loved his profession, his school, his family, his sports and hobbies, his friends, and his wife deeply.
A dear friend said that “With McCoy’s arrival, heaven’s engineering IQ went up a notch or two.” And heaven’s gained a beautiful soul for an angel that hopefully can protect, guide, and love us as we go through our lives.
God bless you all and thanks to so many for blessing us with your friendship over all these years. We have been truly fortunate.
McCoy is at Cremation Society of SC - Westville Funerals at 6010 White Horse Rd., Greenville, SC 29611
Website is: www.cremationsocietyofsc.com
A celebration of life is in the process of being planned and will be announced at a later date. Please keep checking on this website for more information.
In lieu of flowers please give to The Nature Conservancy South Carolina Chapter, 1417 Stuart Engals Blvd., Suite 100, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. Please write James E. McCoy on the donation and, if you wish to include a note to Wanda, the team at the Conservancy will do the tracking and keep Wanda informed. ( https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/south-carolina/contact-us/ )