He leaves behind a tradition of always loving others and serving them. He would always say that he never in his life met a stranger and this loving attitude will influence his family for generations to come.
Andy was born in College Mound, Macon, Missouri August 28th, 1928, to Andrew Benjiman Coy Sr. and Stella May Huffman. His parents later divorced and his mother was re-married to Ray Wayne Mott, who became a loving father to him. Andy was raised around Missouri mules and always loved to tell people that he was as stubborn as one, this was confirmed by his wife and children. He spent most of his childhood in Missouri on the family farm; then, due to the war effort, his family moved to Seattle, Washington; where his mother helped to build B-17’s at Boeing Aircraft Company.
Andy served his country in World War II, and graduated from Counterintelligence School while serving in Germany. While overseas he met and married Franziska Eger and they had their first daughter Franny May. After being honorably discharged from the Army, they returned to Seattle where they had two more daughters, Starr and Mavis. Their first born, Franny May succumbed to a rare type of cancer in the spring of 1952. Shortly thereafter they divorced and he retained custody of his two surviving daughters.
Andy was employed by the Seattle Transit Authority as a bus driver. On June 14th, 1953 he met the love of his life when Arta Lou Hendrickson boarded the #9 bus; he was completely smitten. They dated for a short while and soon thereafter were married on July 23rd, 1953 in Seattle, WA. After their marriage they had two other children, Candi and Lee. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls, ID temple in 1966 where they were also sealed to their surviving children.
Shortly after they were married Andy was hired by The Great Northern Railroad. He rode the rails in the greater Washington area and would take jaunts into British Columbia as well as Oregon. One of his favorite trips was a family vacation between Seattle and Chicago. He delighted in having his children join him from time to time while he was working on passenger trains. He loved this work and retired in 1993 after 40 years of service as a Conductor/Brakeman.
Andy was a devoted convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He joined the church and was baptized in April of 1952. Andy was active within the church and served for 10 years as a Stake Clerk to two separate Stake Presidents. In 1995 Andy and Arta served in the Mississippi, Jackson Mission. During his retirement Andy loved visiting and serving in temples at home and on his travels and has served in 59.
Andy and Arta loved to travel, visiting Europe, Israel, Canada and Mexico as well as other spots across the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. They have lived in the Salt Lake Valley for 12 years and have made many wonderful friends. Andy loved photography and was always excited to share his gift with those around him, he also enjoyed many years as a private pilot. Andy was a champion for the elderly all throughout his life he spent his time caring for those around him who could not care for themselves.
Andy is survived by his wife, Arta; their four children, Starr (Mike) Irvin, Granite Falls, WA; Mavis (Bobby) Gieseker, San Mateo, CA; Candi (Randy) Christ, Salt Lake City, UT; and Lee (Linda) Coy, Orem, UT; 17 beloved grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren.
Andy was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Franny May; his siblings, Lee (Ruby) Coy, Lawrence Coy, Joyce (Willie) Egelston, Marion (George) Coleman and Dora (Bill) Bragg.
A viewing will be held prior to services on Saturday, June 23rd, 2018 from 9:30am - 10:45am. Funeral services will be take place Saturday, June 23rd, 2018 at 11:00am at the Harman Ward LDS church, 4634 W Harman Drive, West Valley City, UT 84120; Interment will follow at Valley View Memorial Park and Funeral Home 4400 West 4100 South, West Valley City, UT.
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