Justin's Story, Page Two

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In Loving Memory of
Justin Anthony "Buck" McCoy
April 29, 1984 - June 25, 2003

More of Justin's Story

When Justin moved here he got to work in the coal mines with his Dad, which he always wanted to do and we said we would never allow it. But again God knew best and he went to work with his Dad. That was such quality time they got to spend together daily. Justin moved up quickly in his jobs, starting at night watchman then moving to working in the mine yard (he referred to himself as the yard boss!), then to inside setting the pumps and eventually he was running some of the equipment. He did well in such a short time and really loved his job. The men were amazed that he did it with a smile on his face,
he knew in his mind some day he would have his own mines running it.

Mark said if there ever was a question in his mind if Justin could step up to the plate with the responsibility of a job and handling his finances, he answered it loud and clear with what he had accomplished in his short time there. I did not work when we moved so I had my time with Justin also, he would grab me and squeeze me tight and fall on the bed with me (he knew I didn't like that and that it smothered me). I would say, "let me up, Buck, please let me up" and he would say, "no, not till you give me a kiss and tell me you love me." Oh how I wish I could have him do that again. He and Ben were inseperable, they got to spend their evening together either running around or playing play station or getting a movie to bring home and watch. It was so good to see them together. So God gave him back to us for the last six months of his life so we could enjoy him.

Dustin, Justin and Ben at Myrtle Beach, 2002.

Justin loved the lake and wanted to spend every spare minute he had there, skiing, wave boarding and knee boarding, riding the tube. One of the last good memories we have of him was just a few day before he died. His Dad was pulling in on the new tube that he had bought, Justin's hair was blowing in the wind and he had the biggest smile on his face. Justin would always say, "It should be a sin not to raise your kids on a lake and let them experience this." Many times Justin would stand on the dock and stretch his arms up to the sky and say, "this is heaven, look how beautiful! I am going to have this someday,
it may not be this big, but me and Bub will have this."

These guys were together since before kindergarten and remained together and stayed friends until graduation in 2002. Left to right, Justin, Jack, Bradley, Ike,
Brandon and Kenny.

The Gift of Friendship

FRIENDSHIP is a priceless gift
That cannot be bought or sold,
But its value is far greater
Than a mountain made of gold -

For gold is cold and lifeless,
It can neither see nor hear,
And in the time of trouble
It is powerless to cheer -

It has no ears to listen,
No heart to understand,
It cannot bring you comfort
Or reach out a helping hand -

So when you ask God for a Gift,
Be thankful if He sends
Not diamonds, pearls or riches
But the love of real true friends.

Justin had so many friends it is hard to list them, however Brandon (with Justin in the picture at the top, Jack and Ike (with Justin in the picture at the bottom), Bradley and Kenny, were his brothers without the blood. They all had been together since before kindergarten and were always there for each other. They were very special to Buck and have a special place in my heart and in our family. He had very good taste in girls and was always around them also. Tiffany, Abbey, Hannah and Taran are only a few that were so special to Justin, the list goes on and on. I love and thank you all
for being a part of Justin's life.

Justin and Tiffany at the Senior Prom and then at graduation.

Justin and Abby on the left, Justin with Taran on the right.

Brittany and Justin at the top, and Hannah and Justin on the bottom.

When I'm Gone

When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And only remember the smile.
Forget unkind words I have spoken;
Remember some good I have done.
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun.
Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way.
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day.
Then forget to grieve for my going,
I would nto have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay,
And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west.
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best.
~ Author unknown

Justin and Rachel on the left and Justin with his cousin Nena on the right.

Justin had a way of making everyone feel special. Whenever he was around his Aunts, depending on which one it was, they were always his favorite. Because none of them had the same first names, he would always say, "how is my favorite Aunt so and so." Justin was just a lovable guy who loved his cousins and enjoyed being around them all.

Justin with his cousin Erica.

From left to right, Andi, Abby, Jack, Justin and Tiffany at Honor Society Induction.

Justin's wake and funeral were unbelievable. We had a memorial service for him at our church in Alabama, it was planned very quickly and without a lot of notification. Still, there were about 250 people in attendance, such an impact on so many in such a short time. Justin loved the church and quickly became a part of it. When we took him home to West Virginia for the services we were amazed at the outpouring and support of the community. The wake visitation was scheduled from 6-9 p.m. People started arriving at 4:30 with the family and the last people got to see him at 10:30 that night. We were overwhelmed with the turnout and all of the beautiful plants, flowers and figurines everyone had sent. So many lives Justin had touched in his short 19 years on this earth. Everyone had such good things to share with us about him and I wanted to hear all of them. The funeral was held at his high school gymnasium, there was a large crowd there also. The service was wonderful, Brother Fred Lackey, our pastor, had a wonderful message and the last song we played for Justin was, I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me. (That is why we chose it to play on Justin's main web page.) It was one of Justin's favorites and was so appropriate. The funeral procession was the longest I had ever seen, it stretched for almost a mile, literally.

Adrienne, Megan and Justin.

Justin with his brother Ben, and Angie.

I know Justin's death will not be in vain, God has a reason for taking him.
Justin touched so many lives,
and I know God will get the glory from his life.

I hope that everyone will remember the good and happy times with Buck
and prepare to see him again some day soon.

This decal was made by a man in our church and he designed it this way because, the cross because Buck was a chirstian, the baseball bat because he played on the church softball league and the pick because he was a miner for a short while. He made several hundred for me to distribute to all of our family and friends as a memorial to Bucky.