Coach Leon McCoy

Coach Leon McCoy, 88, of Scott Depot passed away on May 27, 2017. He was born to the late Wava Sue Webb McCoy Toney in Jeffrey, Boone Co., WV, on June 1, 1928. Coach was an All-State football player at Charleston High School. Afterwards, he went to the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship and then finished up at Morris Harvey where he was an All-American football player in 1950. Leon was also a United States heavyweight boxing champion of the South in 1950. Leon started his coaching/teaching career at Charleston High School, then went to Cocoa High School in Florida to coach/teach for 7 years. In 1969 he arrived at Winfield High School to teach, coach, and mentor the many athletes, students and co-workers where he lead from the front with his notorious weight lifting program. Leon was a lifetime member at Winfield Baptist Church where he served and lived his life as a deacon and was an inspiration to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was famous for his favorite lines of “If I could pray….” at graduation and leading the cheer “Give me a W” at many sporting events. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 64 years, Betty L. Stewart McCoy, their children, Cathy Bailey (David) of Scott Depot and Bill Hughes (Linda) of Winfield; grandchildren, Brooke Smolder (Eddie) of Ripley and their children Braylie and Eddric, Brittany Harper (Dave) of Scott Depot and their children Betley and Cassidy, Amy Artrip (Brent) of Raleigh and their children Eric and Ian, and John Grass (Kristi) of Raleigh and his children Tori, Sera, and Jack; and many people who were loved like family. A celebration of Coach McCoy’s life will be at 6:00pm Wednesday at Winfield High School's football stadium with Pastor David Johns officiating. A reception will follow in the High School’s commons area. A private family burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston at a later date. The family strongly suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in Coach McCoy’s name to: Leon McCoy Scholarship Fund or Winfield High School Athletic Department, c/o Winfield High School, 11268 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213. The family would like to express their appreciation to Randy Hodges, Dr. Tom Rittinger and the Intensive Care Nurses at CAMC Teays Valley Hospital. Coach Leon McCoy has now scored his Eternal Touchdown! Chapman Funeral Home, 3941 Teays Valley Road Hurricane WV is honored to assist Coach McCoy’s family.

Coach Leon McCoy

June 1, 1928 - May 27, 2017