OWENSBORO, Ky. — Coy C. Shown, 99, of Owensboro, passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2017, while under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky. He was born July 30, 1917, in Ohio County, Ky., to the late Ben Allen Sr. and Sudie Belle Shown.
Dad (Coy) described himself as an “ordinary man,” but as his daughter, “I beg to differ.” He and his wife owned Shown’s Sundries Store on Frederica Street and he retired as a Lt. Col. from the Army Reserves. Coy served in World War II in Italy in the 362nd Infantry, 91st Division, Company E. He was wounded twice and received the Purple Heart, received the Bronze Star when he led an attack and captured five German soldiers, and received the Oak Leaf cluster when he ran 50 yards under intense mortar fire to rescue a wounded man from another platoon.
Coy enjoyed playing golf and was a charter member of Windridge Country Club having made 13 holes-in-one. His family and friends always knew he was near by the sound of his beautiful whistling. Coy was a member of Woodlawn United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School for over 30 years and faithfully attended the Methodist Men’s Club and gave his own devotions usually written on the back of used envelopes.
Coy was also preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Lou Anna King Shown, who died on April 27, 2007; his brother, Ben Allen Shown Jr.; his twin brother, Roy D. Shown; and his grandson, Trevor Grimes Wilson.
Surviving are his daughters, Judy Wilson and husband, Morven, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and Sally Shown, of Louisville, Ky.; granddaughter, Angela Lefevre, of Louisville; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A special thanks to Daddy’s many caring friends, but especially to the Fort, Crandall, and Evans families, and the staff and residents at Heritage Assisted Living for being such good friends to Coy and to the nurses, counselors, and staff at Hospice of Western Kentucky and the Heartford House for taking such wonderful care of him.
Services will be at noon Thursday, May 18, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory officiating by Rev. Jim Savage and Rev. Randy Jones. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Hartford, Ky., with full military honors. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday and after 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions can be made to Woodlawn United Methodist Church. 1120 Woodlawn Ave., Owensboro, KY 42301 or to Friends of the Children, c/o the Mary Kendall Home, 193 Phillips Court, Owensboro, KY 42303.
Condolences to the family may be placed at www.glenncares.com.