Lt Raymond McCoy, U.S.N.R., July 17, 1924-October 12, 2011

Raymond McCoy, naval aviator, veteran of WWII & Korea - husband, father & grandfather. Born July 17, 1924 in Breckenridge, TX, passed away Wednesday, Oct 12, 2011 from cancer. Ray was active in several community organizations including, but not limited to the Santa Barbara University Club, Phi Kappa Psi , Masonic Order, Quiet Birds, Rancheros Vistadores Los Amigos camp, MOWW, The Navy League and the Orchid Society. As a child, he dreamed of being a pilot. In June 1943, Raymond enlisted in the United States Naval Academy and went on to fly single prop fighter planes in WW II and fighter jets in the Korean conflict. His favorite plane was the Corsair. After leaving active duty, he joined Mark Hurd performing aerial photography of the Santa Barbara locale. Following that he worked over 20 years for Paine, Weber as a stockbroker. This very special man had charm, grace, and humility that few of us can accede to. He served our country well. Ray was a wonderful father, as well as a considerate, charitable, and well-educated man. He was an avid lover of political debate and sharing hard earned advice. He is greatly missed. We will always remember him, cherish our memories, and try to live up to the values in life that he worked so hard to instill in each of us. We are forever grateful to have experienced such a wonderful father and community figure in our lives and always remember his contribution to our nation's safety and preservation of heritage. Raymond McCoy set the bar for many of us. Raymond is preceded in death by his son Raymond Mark McCoy and survived by his children Kitty McCoy, Charles McCoy, Mary McCoy Sanders, Molly McCoy Jarvis, and four grandchildren James Jarvis, Ashley Toft, Kirsten Toft, and Justin Toft. Services will likely be held in January 2012.