By Josh Beavers
A little over one year ago, Minden laid to rest one of her kindest souls. When Mike McCoy went Home in 2021, hundreds of eyes wept for he was a good one and his life impacted so many. Now, less than 14 months later, we’re crying once more as another McCoy man has left our company and been promoted into the Glory that comes to men such as he.
Scotty McCoy, a husband, father, son, and friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday. He was only 54 years old.
Scotty never met a stranger and was cheerful in all endeavors. He was an avid supporter of our local schools, loved to help others in need, and was as humble and kind a person as any of us could ever meet.
While saying all that, it’s also important to say this – the true impact of our lives is often difficult to measure. We don’t always know where we stack up in the minds of others. So we hope that Scotty knew just how much he meant to the people who populate this place he called home.
Here is a sampling of Facebook posts regarding Scotty’s passing and the type of person he was:
“Posting in honor of my friend Scotty McCoy. As men, when we hear about the loss of a buddy, we generally cluck our tongue and say ‘he was a good one.’ Then we move on. But I have to tell you, this one made me cry ugly tears. He might not have been a rich man by most earthly standards but by God’s standards he was a billionaire. He had family and more friends than anybody I know. He worked hard for his family but would probably give it all away to a friend in need. He left a legacy of young men that he influenced through coaching ball for many years. Some of my fondest memories are from sharing the field with him. He really WAS a good one!” – Dawson Samuel
“A good man gone way to soon! You have been such a huge part of my support system this last year, you were a rock for me. You and Dad weren’t just brothers, y’all were best friends. I can only imagine the time y’all have had so far. I love you Uncle Scotty!” – Morgan McCoy
“I just don’t have words, my heart is broken for the loss of Scotty McCoy. We’ve been friends and neighbors with Scotty and Belinda for 30+ years. Scotty was the life of the party and the best cheerleader. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know him and love him. It’s not goodbye my friend, it’s just until we see you again.” – Donna Arender
“You believed in so many kids that didn’t believe in themselves and gave them all a chance. You were one of a kind for sure!! We all will miss you so much!!” – Heather Edwards
“Every once in a great while, God allows us to make contact with people who make everyone around them better. I have been blessed to know a few of these rare people. Scotty McCoy was certainly one of them. I’m putting this on my page mainly so my Minden friends scattered around the world can know that we have lost one of the really good ones. RIP Scotty. Hope you’re having a great time being reunited with Dawg.” – Stephen Laughlin
“We all lost a friend today. I don’t think anyone can say a bad thing about Scotty McCoy. He never met anyone he wasn’t willing to help. These past few weeks he’s encouraged all of us to forgive those who have wronged us . . . I know his momma had a plate ready for him when he got to heaven. He was one of the hardest working men I knew and the love for his family and friends is unrivaled. Minden lost another good one. We will fish again one day brother.” – Shane Griffith
Funeral services for Scotty will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Minden, with Bro. Barry Carter and Bro. Mike Wilkes officiating. Graveside service will follow at Whispering Pines Cemetery in Minden with Chris Plants officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Minden.
Scotty was born October 23, 1967, in Shreveport and entered into rest August 16, 2022, in Minden.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Gray Salsburg; father, Freeland “Jay” Salsburg; and brother, William “Mike” McCoy.
He is survived by his wife Belinda McCoy of Minden; sons, Bruce Franklin, Brynn Franklin (Gloria Hurst), and Brandon Franklin all of Minden; daughters, Kim Spence (Aaron) of Sibley and Kaitlin McFarland (Evan) of W. Monroe; sister, Carlene Miller of Minden; brother, Jason Salsburg of Minden; grandchildren, Madison Franklin, Slade Plunkett, Lilli Plunkett, Cameron Morgan, Adeline McFarland, Wilder McFarland, Logan Franklin, and Hazel McFarland; and best friends, Bobby Morgan, Jay Anderson, and Mel Smith.
One of the last Facebook posts made to Scotty before his death came as a thank you for his organization of a back-to-school bash in the community. That’s the kind of person Scotty was. His heart was huge, and he made an impact on those around him.
And now we remember and mourn but we also praise. We praise God and say thank You for allowing such a man to be a part of our lives. He made a lasting impact on so many. As such, we’d like to say that if Scotty were to have been cowardly in his life, and he were to be born again, we would ask that he be born brave. But he was a fearless man who stood up for what was right. If he had been cruel in life, and he were to be born again, we would ask for him to be born kind. But he was among the best of us and never turned away those in need. And if he had been unloved in life, and he were to be born again, we would ask for him to be born with a soul that drew others to him and that he love them as much as they loved him. But his impact was indelible and the love was immense.
So we ask, if we were lucky enough to have Scotty McCoy with us once again, that he simply come the way he came before.
