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Ford Funeral Service
305 S. Sooner Rd.
Midwest City, OK 73110
(permission granted)
Coy Edward Shelby
February 23, 1932 - January 23, 2011
Coy Edward Shelby was born in Oklahoma City, February 23, 1932 to Ed and Iris Shelby. He met his Lord on Sunday morning January 23, 2011 just like he had done so many times before, except this time it was face to face. A graduate of Choctaw high school, Coy spent summers working construction with his dad and brothers before beginning his career following graduation at Tinker Air Force Base as a Flight Test Navigator in 1965. He retired in 1987 after 22 years. Coy was an active member of every church he attended as he followed the career of his wife who served on staff at several churches. He served faithfully as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. Most years you would find him welcoming young preschoolers and helping them to have a great experience at church. He was a part of the Oklahoma Baptist Child Care Disaster Relief Team and had the opportunity to meet the needs of children whose families were facing disasters. After retirement Coy served several years on the Oklahoma Barber Board. It was often said he was chosen because he always had a thick head of hair. Coy was a great friend and neighbor - always willing to plow a field with his tractor or lend a hand wherever needed. If you ever went by his house you would probably find him outside tinkering on something. He loved watching Corky play OBU basketball, OU football, fishing and could fix just about anything. But these were just the things he did when he wasn't doing his favorite job - spending time with his family. Born the oldest of eight children, Coy was always the big brother who could be counted on whenever he was needed. He was married to Joyce Pierce on January 9, 1953. They made their home in Spencer for over 50 years until Alzheimer's forced them to sell and move to the Baptist Retirement Village four years ago. Coy and Joyce have two children Kimberly Pickett and Coy Edward, Jr. He was a wonderful father, but most of all a great friend and encourager to them. The joy of being a father was only surpassed when Coy became a grandpa with the birth of his first and only grandson Jonathan followed by twin granddaughters, Jennifer and Julie. He truly was the definition of grandpa. Life changed a lot for Coy in 1987 when he retired from Tinker and his grandchildren moved from Colorado to Oklahoma. He was often heard to say he thought he had died and gone to heaven because it was only 1 hour and 20 minutes door to door to see those grandchildren, and he didn't miss many of their activities from then on. Husband, father, grandpa - these were three great titles for Coy but the title he became known for in the last eight years was probably one of his favorites. With the birth of the 1st of nine great grandsons, Coy became "Buddy" to his nine little buddies. Coy was preceded in death by his parents Ed and Iris Shelby, brothers, Tommy, Royce and Bill. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce, Daughter Kimberly and husband Michael Pickett, son Corky and wife Kim, Grandson Jonathan Pickett and wife Michelle, granddaughters Jennifer Davidson and husband Dustin, Julie Copeland and husband Chris. Nine great grandsons, Bryson, Chase, Deacon Coy, Easton Pickett, Corbin, Coy and Cooper Davidson, Carsten and Michael Copeland. Brothers Ted and wife Betty, Don, and sisters Marie and husband CA Kidney, and Deloris Mize and several nieces and nephews. Services for Coy will be conducted by Ford Funeral Service at 2:00pm, Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, 304 SW 134th, Moore, OK. Graveside services will be at 10:30am, Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Arlington Memory Gardens, Midwest City, OK.
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