Jimmie Dean Coy, 1946-2020

Jimmie Dean Coy, 74, of Columbia, went home to be with the Lord with his wife at his side in their home on Sunday, December 27, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jim will be remembered as serving in many varied positions: physician, professor, soldier, teacher, mentor, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Jim was born October 31, 1946 in Kirksville to Dean and Arlene Coy. He graduated from Kirksville High School. He received a B.S. degree from Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State) in 1968. Dr. Coy earned his D.O. degree in 1973 from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He spent one year in a rotating internship in Oklahoma City before returning to Missouri to complete a four-year radiology residency at the University of Missouri Medical Center in 1978. In 1982, he married the love of his life, Vicki Sigurdson, and they spent their married life in Columbia.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, December 30 at Compass Church, 600 Silvey Street, Columbia. The going home celebration will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, December 31. The service can be viewed at youtu.be/p9XsstgUyd0. In keeping with the guidelines put forth by the Boone County Health Director, all guests are required to wear a mask and to practice social distancing (six feet apart). Private burial will be at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Dr. Coy was an associate professor in Radiology at the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics in Columbia. He was also on the staff of the Uniformed Services University of Health Science in Bethesda, Maryland. He retired from the Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital in 2013, where he spent 15 years as the Chief of Radiology. He held numerous leadership positions and served on many boards for national and local organizations.

Jim had a great passion for his family genealogy, belonging to numerous lineal societies including: The Society of Colonial Wars, Sons of the American Revolution, General Society of the War of 1812, and Sons of Unions Veterans of the Civil War. He compiled an extensive Coy family genealogy.

Dr. Coy served 25 years in the military, ending his career in the Army Reserve assigned to the United States Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Colonel Coy authored numerous journal articles about his research developing lightweight x-ray equipment for the military for use in Special Operations Medicine and casualty radiology. He served with numerous Special Operations units including the 3rd Group Army Special Forces (Airborne) during the first Gulf War participating in Operation Urban Freedom, the liberation of Kuwait City.

Col. Coy served two terms as the President of the Special Operations Medical Association; two terms as the National Surgeon of the Reserve Officers Association; two terms as the State Surgeon of the Missouri Reserve Officers Association; and two terms on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Military Medicine. He was a member of numerous medical societies and associations.

His military awards and badges include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters. He also received the Combat Medical Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Flight Surgeon Badge, Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Israeli Airborne Badge. He was awarded the prestigious Order of Military Merit from the Army Medical Regiment, and he also received the "A Designation" from the Army Surgeon General, the very highest acknowledgement for medical achievement by the Army Medical Department.

Dr. Coy and his wife, Vicki, are members of The Crossing Church in Columbia. In the past, Jim was deeply involved with Promise Keepers, which had a significant impact on his life. He participated in a number of local Men's Ministry groups including Prime Time, The Business Advantage, Men of Impact, and Men Without Fear, which he led for many years. He and his wife were on the staff of the military ministry of Campus Crusade, CRU.

Dr. Coy authored a number of books on leadership, courage, hope and faith including: A Gathering of Eagles, Valor, Prisoners of Hope, Matthew A to Z + 2, Those Who Serve, and the Eagles Daily Planner - Prayer Journal. In addition he authored a trilogy for children: The ABC's of Matthew, The Miracles of Jesus, and the Parables of Jesus.

Jim was a student of history, especially the Bible, Israel, and the military. He loved listening to Christian music and was an avid nature photographer - particularly of eagles and wildlife. He was also a collector of military memorabilia and autographs.

He and Vicki enjoyed traveling and frequently visited Branson, Rocky Mt. National Park, and the beaches of Ft. Myers, Florida and Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Jim was blessed with many opportunities and honors during his life. He would always be quick to acknowledge that he was blessed by God, not because of his abilities but because he was available to be used by God and with the intent of giving God the glory!

He had a great love of God, family and nation. If he could share one thought with you today, it would be that of his favorite quote, from his friend, WWII Medal of Honor Recipient, Desmond Doss, "If we miss heaven, we have missed everything, "Jim would tell you…"Please, don't miss heaven, because I'm planning on seeing you there."

He will be deeply missed by those who survive, including his wife, Vicki; his children: Tim Coy, Tricia (Keith) Ragsdell, Josh Coy; and grandchildren: Jacob, Joe, Sam, and Sophie Ragsdell; sister, Jeanie Auseon; sister-in-law, Jeanne Coy; brother, Gordon, and his wife, Lenora.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Arlene Coy; sister, Janet; brother, Eldon; brothers-in-law: John Auseon and John Way; and nephew, Mike Coy.

He was loved by many and a hero to many. His memory will be cherished and his legacy will live on.

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