David McCoy

David Earl McCoy, 63 of Sardis City, AL died Wednesday, 12 September at 7:50 pm. He is survived by: his wife Doris of 31 years; son Jeffrey (Dawn) McCoy of Guntersville, AL; daughter Natalie (Kevin) Taylor of Hazel Green, AL; step-son, Keith (Marsha) Gibson of Sardis City, AL; three grandsons, Spencer McCoy, Parker McCoy, and Logan Gibson; two granddaughters, April Gibson and Maddie Taylor and his sister, Debbie McCoy. He is preceded in death by his parents, Hap and Sammie McCoy of Guntersville, AL. David served his country in the United States Army for more than 21 years retiring from active duty as a Chief Warrant Officer Three (CW3) in 1991. He began his career as an Air Traffic Controller, enlisting in 1968. During his Enlisted service, he served tours in Italy, Germany, and the Republic of Korea and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7). David was recognized as the Army's Air Traffic Controller of the Year in 1976 for his service in Korea which included the infamous Poplar Tree Incident and subsequent U.S. Operation Paul Bunyan which followed the unprovoked North Korean attack that killed two U.S. Soldiers trimming a tree for observation in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). In 1978, David applied for and was accepted into the Army's Rotary Wing Flight Program. After completing Initial Entry Rotary Wing training at Ft. Rucker, AL he began his eleven year career as a UH-1 (Huey) pilot. As an Army aviator, he deployed with the 101st Airborne Division during combat operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm prior to retiring from active duty. David was rated as a Senior Army Aviator and his awards include: The Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Three Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Army Achievement Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters). Following his Military career, life was literally a piece of cake, as David enjoyed seeing everyone around Marshall County while running his route as a Little Debbie distributor. Visitation will be Friday, 14 September from 6 to 8 pm at McRae's Funeral Home in Boaz, AL. Services will be Saturday September the 15th at 12 pm at McRae's Funeral Home with Brother James Dudley and Chad Hallcox officiating. CW3 (Retired) David McCoy will be laid to rest at Forest Home Cemetery with full Military Honors.