James Samuel McCoy
October 13, 1947 ~ January 20, 2026
Born in:
Radford, VA
Resided in:
Leicester, NC
Asheville Butterfly TrailJames Samuel McCoy, 78, of Leicester, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026. He is survived by his “lovely bride” of 59 years, Emily Jane Bonds McCoy (aka “The Boss”), his beloved children, Kelsey “KJ” Kapolnek and Keelan “Banjo” McCoy and their partners, Mark “Markel” Kapolnek and Lenny “Leonard” McCoy, and his four “beautiful, genius, perfect” grandchildren, Grant and Lyla Kapolnek and Greer and Delaney McCoy. He is remembered with enduring love by his sister Sheila McCoy, brother-in-law Chuck Rowell, sister-in-law Brenda Rowell, nieces Karen and Kristen Rowell, great-niece Lura Gurth, and cousin Tina Parise Baber.
Jim was born in 1947 in Radford, Virginia. He spent his childhood running the hills of the Appalachian mountains. One day in high school, he decided he wanted to learn to play tennis. He strode into English class and asked if anyone knew how to play. A pretty young lady raised her hand and said “I do” (reader, she did not). History was made: Jim and Jane married on October 15, 1966, and so began a partnership for the ages; Jim’s love for his wife was his defining characteristic. Together, they moved to Montgomery, Alabama where Jim was stationed in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. His role included preparing pilots to survive a downed aircraft.
Jim used his GI Bill to enroll in Virginia Western Community College, then graduated from Virginia Tech. He went on to teach Horticulture at Wilson Memorial High School. After seven years, he enrolled in the Animal Science master’s degree program at Penn State University and went on to earn his doctorate in Agricultural Education in 1982. He was proud to be the first in his family to pursue higher education, which he celebrated with a license plate that read “PHD 82.”
Jim’s career in strategic enrollment management spanned four decades and many diverse schools including: Penn State University, Miami University, Xavier University, Louisiana State University, University of New Haven, Mary Baldwin University, and Salem College. “Dr. McCoy” mentored countless young professionals, including as a co-founder of the Annapolis Institute, a training program for college admission counselors. A lifelong college football fan, he rooted every weekend for Tech, Penn State, and LSU.
Jim was proud of his career, but his pride for his children was next-level. He always said that his reason for being on this earth was to be their father. In Kelsey and Keelan, he saw limitless potential, and he was their champion. When Kelsey was cast in a play in 9th grade, he and Jane launched the Talawanda Drama Boosters Club. He was the unofficial social chair of the parent groups for every sport Keelan played. Along the way, he helped influence and guide many Oxford kids.
When Kelsey and Keelan got married, he welcomed his new son Mark and daughter Lenny into the family with joyful acceptance. And when his grandbabies were born? Lord have mercy. Legos, tickles and so. many. donuts. The grandkids will think of their Pop Pop every time they dip an Oreo into milk.
Despite living in at least ten places throughout his life, Jim maintained enduring friendships. He nurtured those bonds with intention—and the occasional stiff drink and good cigar. It’s a testament to his lifelong pursuit of community that we received a condolence card from the grocery store pick-up staff the day after he died.
Jim’s enthusiasm, generosity, and love was boundless. He never met a stranger. He was always up for a good time. He tipped big, laughed big, cooked big. He made vibrant gardens. And he lived with a deep sense of optimism that will continue on in his children and grandchildren.
Wherever Jim was relaxing, there were three or four books stacked by his side. He was a fixture of the public libraries in each of his hometowns. With that in mind, and in lieu of flowers, we ask for donations in his name to the Leicester Public Library and Community Garden.
Before every family road trip as we backed out of the driveway, Dad’s voice would boom: “‘We’re Off!’ the captain shouted as he staggered down the stairs.” Through waters deep and choppy, through journeys unknown, may we all face what’s coming with the gusto of Jim McCoy.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Saturday, March 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Weaver House, 56 N. Main Street, Weaverville, North Carolina (approximately 15 minutes outside of Asheville).
Services
Jane & Family,
On behalf of everyone at the University of New Haven, I extend our deepest sympathies on your loss. We truly loved Jim too. He had such an impact on all of us “northerners” (as he might refer to us among many other monikers). We loved everything about him from his booming voice to his smile to his sayings (we could never tell if he making them up on the spot).
We are all so deeply saddened, but we are also so very thankful that he came into our lives. Personally, I regret so much not seeing him in St. John a few winters ago.
When I shared the news of Jim’s passing with my units at the university, the comments back from staff were beautiful. The comments demonstrated what I and others already knew……………..Jim had an impact on everyone he came in contact with here.
The photo you selected of Jim is how we all want to remember him. It captured him perfectly as did his obituary. The measure of a man is not the size of his wealth but rather the impact one has on others. And Jim was a billionaire on that one (I can hear him chuckling right now that he’d rather have the money)………
As time passes, I hope and trust your sadness will be replaced by all the beautiful life long memories you all made with him.
God speed to all of you.
I am so saddened at the loss of Jim. With his personality, his friends, his life and work attitude, he should have lived forever. I can imagine how much fun it was to be his children, grandchildren and ‘in’ the family, each day a total joy and surprise. I have known Jim since he was dating Jane and I have known Jane since elementary school and growing up in the same church. At one time, Jane lived just one block over from us in Roanoke. Now, I finally know what Jim DID in the Air Force and I always thought how fortunate he was to be stationed in Montgomery during the Viet Nam era, I guess the Lord had special plans for that young man, and he sure was smarter than I ever realized. Jim, lots of people are surely going to miss your laugh, your caring and helping others and teaching so many others how to make learning fun. Jane, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love to all.
What a spectacular tribute for a spectacular human. Jim got me a really cool job at the office of admissions at Miami when I was home visiting for the summer. The entire staff (self included) adored him. He also introduced me- through a giant stack of library books he dropped off at our house- to James Herriot, one of my absolute favorite authors. I return to those books for comfort when the world feels hard, and I always think of Jim. My deepest condolences to Jane, Kelsey and Keelan. I have special memories of all of you and those days in the early aughts when all of our families ran around together in Oxford. I was deeply saddened to hear the news, and am sending you all the biggest of hugs.
Jim was one of my best friends for 60 years. We double dated and then married sisters. We went on so many trips together. The beach, Key West, Santa Fe, so many places.
He was as close to me as my own brother. We talked on the phone almost daily these last few years. We had plans for them coming to see us in April and go have lunch at The Greenbrier that he loved.
Jim was “bigger than life” to most people he met and everyone enjoyed working with him and knowing him.
Jim has left a big whole in our world. We will miss him forever!
❤️🎶🎺
Our sincerest condolences to Jane and family on their loss. Jim was a very caring and wonderful man and happy to have been able to know and work with him during our years at UNH. May you find comfort knowing friends share your loss.
Jim was a real friend and also mentor to me. Always available for good advice and counsel.
Jim was particularly there for me during some very low times when dealing with my challenging youngest. I will forever be grateful.
Yes, he was respectfully known as “Foghorn Leghorn” around the University of New Haven. A nickname he proudly accepted with smile and his sense of humor that would light up the room. He had a personality that was bigger than life and was a great man who touched all of us.
My routine, since Jim’s retirement was to reach out annually in the spring time to share the beauty of our campus and in particular to show the green grass on the Gerber/Bixler quad. This was a personal triumph for us both as it was long thought grass would not grow there. We proved them wrong Jim! That grass will forever be green thanks to your inspiration.
I close sharing with certainty, that Jim was waved into heaven immediately by St. Peter as I can’t imagine an individual being more worthy.
Rest in peace, Jim, you have earned it.
Jim was one of my favorite mentors when I arrived at UNH, and we often swapped stories of whether ‘southern hospitality’ or ‘Midwest nice’ was more challenging to blend with Yankee sensibilities. He was one of the most optimistic and energetic VPs that I worked with over the years at UNH or previously. One of my favorite lines of his was “just tell them to imagine that their hair is on fire and to get moving.” And he also had a Rolodex worth its weight in gold.
His Mardi Gras parties were legendary, and although I never learned to like jambalaya or LSU purple, I will always be grateful for the hospitality (and example) that he and Jane extended to all. We also knew he was a ‘superdad’. One notable family episode of theirs was the time they all got matching tattoos on their ankles. For a grandparent, that’s family solidarity. I know their kids, grandkids and extended family will miss his humor and compassion for those he held dearest and of whom he was always proud.
Susan Peters Layne
Can it really be over 59 years since I attended the wedding of Jane and Jim, not realizing that 25 months later I would also say “I do” to a man dressed in a military uniform. I remember Jim’s laughter and love for life. He was so energetic and creative. What a beautiful fish pond he created for the Lexington area home! I can’t believe he has had a chance to greet Saint Peter (I sure hope someone warned Peter ahead of time so he could have a party prepared!). Jane, my thoughts are so much with you and your family.
One question…..will the Celebration of Life be live streamed so that Jim’s many out of state friends can share the memories with you?