Ronald Francis McCoy was born September 13, 1933 to Earl and Della (Reynolds) McCoy, in Todd County, South Dakota.  Ron was the second child of four; Alta was the oldest then sister Lois, and then younger brother Glen.  Although that was the end of the children, as far as births go there was one more Laura Ann, one very close friend that was just like a sister to the whole family.  Ron received eight years of education at the McCoy school in Todd County, South Dakota.

In the spring of 1949 the family moved to Cherry County, Nebraska.  Ron met and married his life time friend and loving wife Naomi on August 4, 1953.  He entered the service on October 7, 1953, and was stationed in, Fort Sam, Brook Army Med Vac Center Houston, Texas for 18 months.   Their son Keith was born August 28, 1954 at Brook Army Hospital.   After Ron was honorably discharged on October 7, 1955 the family returned to Todd County, S.D.  where they worked for Ted Hornestra and Dannie and Ed Vavra .    Loraine was born April 28, 1957. On May 1, 1959 they began farming on the Verduin place.  In 1976, they sold the Todd County place, and Ron and Naomi bought the Middaugh place one mile west of Crookston, and began custom farming.  They worked very hard side by side to be successful in there new endeavor.  After Naomi became ill, Ron took care of her for 30 years and 4 months with the help of several wonderful ladies.  Naomi passed away March 31, 2009.  She was laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine, NE.

Ron was a member of the V.F.W.  in Cody, Nebraska.  He loved farming and enjoyed playing cards with friends.

Ron passed away April 17, 2019 at Pine View  in Valentine.   He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Naomi sisters; Lois Leach and Alta Hebb and grandsons Kent McCoy and Kevin McCoy.   He is survived by his son Keith and wife Bonnie from Prague, NE,  daughter Loraine Long and husband Don of Ridgeland, South Carolina, grandchildren;  Jamie & Nicole McCoy of Kearney, NE,  Jennifer (Brian) Tillotson of Ridgeland, South Carolina Aaron Long (Jessica) of North Platte, NE and Brent (Amanda) Long of Valentine, 9 great grandchildren,  brother Glen of Omaha and brother-in-law Delton Johnson of Denver.   Also surviving are some very special friends, which Ron and Naomi thought of as their own family Arno, Karen, Valentina, Ben and Vinzenz from Sinabelkirchen, Austria.  Ron was blessed to have so many friends, he loved them all.

CHANGE OF VENUE FOR FUNERAL

Funeral service for Ron McCoy age 85 of Valentine will be held on Tuesday, April 23 at 2:00 PM at the Cherry County Fair Grounds 4-H Building in Valentine .  Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine.  Visitation will be on Monday at 5:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines.  Mr. McCoy passed away on April 17 ^th at Pine View in Valentine.