Obituary of Francis Patrick McCoid

Francis Patrick McCoid Francis McCoid, known as Pat by his many friends and relatives, passed away Oct. 2 at St. Joseph Medical Center in the company of his loving family. Pat was born Feb. 23, 1925, in White Lake, South Dakota, and was raised in the Black Hills, the son of a miner. He attended high school in Lead, S.D., before the family moved to a small farm near Montrose, Colo., when his father found work in the mines at Telluride. Pat served honorably in the Army during World War II and returned home to fall in love with Kathleen Boylan, a city girl whose family had moved to Montrose from Manhattan. They were married on August 3, 1947. Pat and Kathy raised six children and enjoyed 61 years together. The family moved to Tacoma in 1953, bought a house in South Tacoma and never moved again. Pat worked at Kaiser Aluminum and Northwest Door and retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1987 after 30 years as a letter carrier. His precious two weeks of annual vacation were reserved for unforgettable family road trips to visit relatives in Colorado. Pat was a past-president of the South Tacoma Eagles, an expert fisherman, a great cook and a baseball fan who enjoyed the game from front-row seats behind home plate at Cheney Stadium. He was a devoted father who worked two jobs for years to make ends meet. His legacy to his children is a strong work ethic, personal integrity and a good education. All of his children received Catholic educations at Visitation School and all have gone on to be happy, successful adults. Pat was a gregarious, friendly guy who could strike up a conversation with a stranger and make that person feel like an old friend. Although he struggled with illness during the last years of his life, he remained upbeat and uncomplaining, quick to smile and determined to survive. He was a wonderful role model for how to handle adversity with grace and courage. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen, and children Steve (Collier), of Salem Ore.; Pat (Margie) of Gig Harbor; Judy (Dan) of Edmonds; Nancy (Tom) of Seattle; Tom (Kim) of Salem, Ore.; and Paul (Linda) of West Linn, Ore. Also, brothers Howard, of Montrose, Colo., and Michael, of North Carolina. Pat leaves behind 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Evelyn McCoid; sisters Jean, Doris and Mary, and a brother, John. The family would like to thank the staff of Evergreen Tacoma Health and Rehabilitation Center and the intensive-care nurses at St. Joseph hospital for the loving professional care they gave Dad during his final days. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Pat's name to Visitation School, 3306 S. 58th St., Tacoma. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Church of the Visitation, S. 58th and Warner St. Arrangements are by Piper-Morley-Mellinger Funeral Home. Please sign the online register at www.pipermorleymellingerfh.com.