Dr. Thomas R. McCoy (1882-1942)

MCCOY, BATES, KNAPP

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/7/2023 at 20:40:54

From The Courier [Waterloo, Iowa] - page 2

BODY OF DOCTOR THOMAS R. McCOY FOUND IN GARAGE

Took Own Life, Says Coroner; Dentist in Waterloo for Forty Years.

Dr. Thomas R. McCoy, 60, Waterloo dentist for 40 years, late Tuesday morning was found dead in a garage near his residence, 706 East Fourth street, victim of what Coroner Sidney D. Smith termed a self-inflicted bullet wound thru the head.

The coroner said he believed despondency over ill health led to the suicide. A .32 calibre automatic pistol was found beneath the body, one shot fired from it.

Found by Carpenter.

A carpenter, John Sheets, 131 Butler avenue, told the coroner he saw Dr. McCoy enter the garage, back of 704 East Fourth, shortly after 9 a. m. Tuesday. At work on a roof at 704 East Fourth, Sheets said he recalled having heard a "pop" noise later, but had thought it might be a backfire or a firecracker.

Sheets found the dentist's body at 11:30 a. m.

Dr. McCoy native of Colo, Ia., was born July 3, 1882, son of Mr. and Mrs. John R. McCoy. He attended Nevada, Ia., public schools, the University of Iowa and was a graduate of Northwestern university in 1902 the year he set up practice in Waterloo. His offices were at 310 First National bank building.

He married Miss Katherine Bates here in 1904.

Widow Survives.

Surviving besides the widow are a sister, Mrs. C. J. Knapp, 145 Lovejoy avenue; a brother J. W. McCoy, Los Angeles, Cal.; two nieces and a nephew.

Dr. McCoy was a member of Christ Episcopal church, Waterloo B. P. O. Elks and Waterloo Dental society.

The body was taken to the Parrott & Wood funeral home.