Thomas Michael McCoy

Born on March 28, 1942 to Hazel Springs and Toliver Gholson “TG” McCoy of Birmingham, AL.

After their untimely deaths, Mike was raised by his aunt and uncle, Ann McCoy and Louis Weygand along with their three children, Bryson, Karen and Larry and greatly influenced by his grandmother, Ida Bryson McCoy. Mike attended Lakeview Elementary School and Ramsay High School where he enjoyed tennis, choir, horseback riding, stamp collecting and the youth program at Independent. In 1964 Mike was the first class to graduate from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies. He was also an ROTC officer. During his college summers, he was a camp counselor at the Children’s Fresh Air Farm where he made lifelong friends and started dating Marivann Pilgreen. In September of 1965, he and Marivann were married. Upon his Army draft, they started at Ft. Lee in VA then Mike was assigned to HQ Company 8th Infantry Division in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. As Executive Officer, he received the US Army Commendation Medal for restructuring and organizational the budget office. In December of 1967, he was reassigned as Administrative Officer of the MACV Advisory Team II Corps Tactical Zone in the KonTum district. By the time he was honorably discharged in December of 1968, he was awarded the Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Ribbon with three Battle Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon and the Bronze Star for his combat service during the TET Counteroffensive.

After his service, Mike and Marivann moved to Montgomery, AL where Mike began his career with the Montgomery Co. School system and Marivann worked as a computer programmer at Maxwell Air Force Base. In 1971 their daughter, Karen Elizabeth, was born. Mike earned a Masters of Education degree from Auburn University in 1972 and an EdS degree in 1974. His longest tenure of 23 years was at Jefferson Davis High School where he enjoyed the students, faculty and staff who cultivated the “We Are JD” environment. Mike was involved in the community by serving on the AEA PAC and Executive Board, Board of Directors for the Teachers Credit Union, PTA President, founder the Executive Board of MAO, Chairman of the United Way and the Family Sunshine Center board.

In 1996, Mike retired and moved to Birmingham where he met Mark Ingram. After 9 years of traveling to Florida, the two moved to Port St Lucie where Mike enjoyed retirement and Mark continued his career in banking. At All Saints Episcopal Church, they sang in the choir and Mike served on the Vestry, the Alter Guild and Chairman of the Glover Scholarship Fund. Mike and Mark were married in October of 2015 at All Saints. Because of Mike’s memory loss, they decided to move to back Birmingham in 2021.

The family is thankful for the many nurses and caregiver’s who aided Mike over the last two years. Mike waited by the door for Jimmy Kendrick aka “Chief” to take him around Birmingham to familiar places, fun outings and his favorite lunch spots. As the Alzheimers progressed, Megan Sisk helped navigate his placement for the next level of care. The amazing staffs at Brookdale Rehab and the team of YCSC and Compassus Hospice at Somerby St. Vincent were blessings. Mike passed away on May 17, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest a donation to the Heersink Alzheimer’s Research Center at UAB or a charity of your choice.