Joseph "Mix" McCoy

Joseph “Mix” McCoy, 86, departed this life on June 26, 2015 at his home in Lexington, KY. He was surrounded by family & friends & received a glorious welcome from the family & friends who passed before him. Born in Phelps, Pike County, KY February 18, 1929, he was the son of James Floyd McCoy & Ollie Jane Hunt McCoy. He was married to Eloise DeBoard McCoy, who preceded him in death. Raised on a mountain farm, he lived a life of hard work as an adolescent and in early adulthood he started working in coal mines in Eastern KY, VA and WV. In 1954 he and his brother, Tab started their own mining company which evolved into Caney Branch Coal Co. in 1960. After the company became successful in the 1970’s, they donated money to build the McCoy Athletic Center to benefit the children in the Phelps community. They were also instrumental in preserving and memorializing the lives of their ancestors who were involved in the Hatfield McCoy Feud. In 1975, they financed a monument dedicated to the children of Randolph and Sarah McCoy who were murdered in the famous feud. Along with Pike County cousin, Jimmy Wolford, Mix and his brother were able to locate the cemetery and gain access to the graves of the five children buried there. The monument was presented to The Preservation Council of Pike County, on behalf of the McCoy Family and the dedication gained national attention. Mix was loved and cherished by many friends and revered by the people in his home community of Phelps. He was especially sensitive to the needs of the children in the area and endeavored to make their lives better. Pike County remained the home of his soul and spirit and he is well remembered by people throughout the county. He moved to Lexington in the late 1970’s and later bought a farm on Bryant Road where he and his family bred & raced thoroughbreds for several years, but more than anything, he enjoyed reminiscing about his coal mining. Joe “Mix” was one of the founding members of the Phelps Kiwanis Club and a lifelong member of The Republican Party of Kentucky. His philanthropies were many, including The Ronald McDonald House of Lexington and Sayre School. He was an avid fan of the UK Wildcats and the Cincinnati Reds, enjoying nothing more than watching games with his grandsons. He is survived by two brothers, Leonard “Tab” McCoy (Alma) of Lexington and Herman McCoy of Phelps; his five children; Kathy Dotson (Dale), Debbie Autry (Shawn) , Marlene Hawkins (the late Trey Hawkins), David McCoy, and Gina Johnson (Jon) all of Lexington; One Granddaughter, Kari Nichols of Lexington; grandsons, Matthew Dotson (Rachel) of Pikeville, Jason Nichols (Meghan), Blake Johnson, Barrett Hawkins, Nick Johnson, D.J. McCoy, Andrew McCoy (fiancée Emily Potts), Ben Johnson, Patrick Autry and Mark McCoy all of Lexington; great grandsons, Tyler and Michael Nichols of Lexington and Huxley Dotson of Pikeville; a host of nieces, nephews and special longtime friend, Shirley Moore. He was preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Ollie McCoy, brothers James “Jim” McCoy, Jesse McCoy and sisters, Sarah Jane McCoy, Josephine McCoy Pigeon and Sadie McCoy, a grandson, Joseph Michael Hatfield. Services will be held 12:30 pm Tuesday at Kerr Brothers – Harrodsburg Road with Rev. Jacob McCoy officiating. A celebration of life will be held from 5 – 8 pm on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Lexington Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to Pike Co. Humane Society, 162 Honeysuckle LN, Pikeville, KY 41501 or Randolph McCoy Statue Fund, 781 Hambley Blvd., Pikeville, KY 41502. Obit courtesy of the Jones & West Funeral Home of Phelps, KY.

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