Thomas Wayne McCoy (Tom) died in Lawrence, KS on April 19, 2018 at the age of 82. Tom is survived by his wife of 25 years, Linda and daughters Cathy (children Nils and Grace), Hally (husband Ken and daughter Fiona), Sam (husband Adam and sons Kendall and Porter), Aimee (husband Bret and son Dexter) and his brother Theodore Neal, M.D. (wife Judy and son Miller). He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Wayne and Catherine (Creveling) McCoy, his cousin Neal S. McCoy and nephew Neal McCoy.

Tom was born on April 4, 1936 in Lawrence, KS, grew up in Topeka and graduated from Topeka High School in the Class of 1954. He attended the University of Kansas where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi, transferred to the University of Illinois where he graduated with a degree in Architecture in 1959. He practiced architecture in Kansas City, moved to England to continue his career and attend the Royal Academy in Copenhagen on a Fulbright scholarship. After returning to Kansas City in 1968, he worked for Kivett & Myers and later, in 1972, started his own firm of McCoy Hutchison Stone with Stuart Hutchison and Terrence Stone. This same year, Tom began teaching at the University of Kansas. His KU teaching career continued for the next 28 years. Tom was a proud member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Tom initiated the Green Architecture course at KU where careful consideration is given to appropriate land use and orientation, efficient use of resources, health issues, and construction and operation economy. One of Tom's greatest joys was spending time with his beloved family and sharing with them his love of nature, whether camping, fishing, especially in Colorado, or spending time at the McCoy cattle ranch in Cedar Vale where his father was born and raised. His other great love was found in art, in particular drawing and painting, which was a lifelong passion. Tom shared this passion generously with his children and the students who were fortunate to take his design classes. Tom's unique and ever-present sense of humor was another gift he shared with all throughout his life.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vermont in Lawrence, with a reception to follow. A private burial will be held prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Tom's honor may be made to KU Endowment for the Griffin McCoy Scholarship Fund, PO Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044 or 785-832-7343. Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World from Apr. 20 to Apr. 22, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas McCoy

10 Entries

Mehdi Boorboor

February 15, 2021

I took presentation techniques class at KU with Tom in mid 1980s. I enjoyed the class a lot. I learnt a lot of "tricks" using markers and colored pencils. Now, a practicing architect in California, I use what I have learned from Tom quite often when making a presentation to a client.
May he rest in peace.

Steve Padget

April 26, 2018

His talent as an architect, and his generosity as a teacher/mentor speak for themselves. I feel very lucky to have been both his student, and a colleague.

But there are three qualities Tom exemplified which I will never forget.

First, brevity.

Tom could get the most out of the fewest marks in a sketch, or the fewest words in a conversation of anyone I have ever known.

Second, civility.

I can't think of a time when I was irritated with Tom. I'm not sure I can say that about anyone else.
He genuinely appreciated others, and they him.

Third, humor

Like a good martini (very, very dry subtle, but deep).

Put these three together, and you have one fine human being.

April 26, 2018

I am so sorry to hear this! I have wonderful memories of adventurous, crazy camping trips with Tom, Hally, Sam, my sister and parents (Ursula and Barney Berkowitz) Those are some super times. Tom will be missed! Love and warm thoughts to all.

Liz (Berkowitz) Graham

April 24, 2018

Working for Tom was my first experience in the KC architectural community (McCoy Hutchison Stone 1976). I have such warm memories of his sense of humor and energy. He was a force-of-nature for us newbies My sincere condolences to his family on the loss of this immense personality.

April 24, 2018

Tom was a wonderful and very helpful man when it came time to organizing our THS Class of 1954 Reunions. He was kind and considerate of others and
always ready to help those who needed it. An all around perfect gentleman.
He will be greatly missed.
Nancy (Swanstrom) Vaughn

Buzz Bryan

April 24, 2018

A fine, gracious man with enormus talent. He was a hero and inspiration in the early days. We lift our glass for Tom McCoy.

Paul Jorgensen

April 24, 2018

One of life's good guys.

Judy Heller

April 23, 2018

Tom was a gracious, loving, talented man with a ready smile. We are better for having known him.

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Paul Pannier

April 21, 2018

Thom was a great friend, a mentor, a professor and an inspiration to so many architects in his devotion to his family, his work and his community. As one of his many students who shared this experience at KU, we owe a great debt of gratitude to Thom for his body of work and his dedication to educating the next generation of architects. We extend our prayers and our condolences to Linda and his family and to all his friends in Lawrence and around the world where-ever his former students continue applying the lessons of the Professional Practice of Architecture.

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