Dennis Joe McCoy
Services for Dennis Joe McCoy were 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Central Church of Christ; Mr. Paul Shero officiated. The family received friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday at Criswell Funeral Home.
Dennis Joe McCoy was born September 17, 1945 to Joe and Dorothy McCoy. His dad, Joe, was stationed during World War II as a U.S. Army photographer in rural Japan. Four months after the birth, Joe met his new son and began calling him “Denny” which would be his name for the rest of his life.
Denny and his younger sister Kay grew up around farming and horses. Denny hated riding a tractor but loved doing anything with a horse. He competed in Nodaway Saddle Club events and won the National Little Britches All-Around Champion Cowboy title in 1959 with his horse “Buck.”
Denny left Iowa for Oklahoma State University on a Rodeo Scholarship in 1963 where he was a full-time student and worked construction. He even spent a semester competing in Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding and Bullriding at exhibition rodeos across the continent of Africa.
Denny met Janet “TC” Tucker while they were both students at OSU. Denny gave Janet the “TC” nickname the night they met and it became their ranch brand throughout their 57 years of marriage.
After college, Denny moved his wife and new son Justen to Iowa. He continued to rodeo while working for Wilson’s at the Omaha Stockyards before moving to Dumas, Texas and taking a job with American Beef. In Dumas, Denny and Janet welcomed their only daughter NikkiandtheirsecondsonJoRay.
The family bought a ranch east of Madill, OK in 1973 and made it their home for 15 years. At McCoy Ranch they raised “Kids, Cattle and Quality Horses.” Denny had many fond memories of Madill friends and neighbors. He loved hauling his kids to high school and junior rodeos. He also loved teaching Bible class to sixth graders at church. Denny and Janet added two more sons to the family; Jet and later Cord.
Denny and Janet moved their family to Ada, Oklahoma in 1988. They owned and operated the local livestock auction before moving to Tupelo, OK in 1992 and continuing to ranch. There was never a time in Denny’s life that he was not involved in rodeo. He began the youth rodeo association “Young Legends,” coached his kids and grandkids, and continued his passion for rodeo by raising highcaliber bucking bulls including “Bells Blue.” Even in his late 70’s, Denny was attending regular bucking bull events and competing with his stock.
Denny was passionate about life and an eternal optimist. He loved people and “visiting” with everyone. He was involved in church and dedicated to his family. His soul left this earth November 26, 2024. He was 79 years young.
Denny is survived by his sister Kay Keyser and husband Marv; his wonderful wife Janet; son Justen McCoy and wife Kim, daughter Nikki Callison and husband Roger, son JoRay McCoy and wife Tina, son Jet McCoy and wife Ashlee, son Cord McCoy and wife Sara; grandchildren Jacy Johnson and husband David, Ayla Johnson and husband Trenton, Kate Arterberry and husband Bricen, Katie Persbacher and Laramie Wilson, Quin McCoy, Reed Callison, Kye Callison, Kaitlyn Callison, Tucker McCoy, Chace Broadwater and husband Sam, Cutter McCoy, Gunner McCoy, Ti McCoy, and Tulsa McCoy; great-grandchildren Ryder and Mesa Johnson, Jentri and Tegan Johnson, Lexi, Krease, Paycus and Denni Arterberry, Carley Callison; Nevaeh, A.J. and Creede Callison. Denny is also survived by numerous cousins, relatives and friends.
Denny McCoy loved and was well loved. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1