Joy was the eldest daughter of Florence and the late William Robert “Bill” McCoskey born July 2, 1944. She was called home to the Lord July 1, 2011 while residing in Punta Uva Tallamonca Limon, Costa Rica. In 1962 she graduated from Frankfort High School, Frankfort IN.
She leaves many gifts on this earth, and her greatest in life was the births of her two sons. Eldest son, Charles Russell “Rusty” Ferguson II, his wife Suzi, and their son, Joy’s one and only beloved Grandchild, Joshua David of Kokomo IN. Her youngest son Richard “Rick” Ferguson of Kokomo IN and her ex-husband and father of her sons, Charles Russell Ferguson of Kokomo IN.
As an exceptionally gifted artist, writer and poet, her legacy will live on forever in our hearts and through her stories. Starting at a young age she dedicated herself to writing daily in a journal and so leaves behind a personal library of her life’s adventures. Joy had many articles published by various papers; including “The Challenger 500” and “The Tragedy of the Twin Towers 9-11, Ground Zero-Hollowed Ground”. Joy Nominated her younger sister Debbie for “The George Award” and composed the most most beautiful letter in regards to her outstanding community service. That year Debbie was selected as the recipient.
Joy lived life to its fullest and her resume is as impressive as it is diverse. In the early 70’s she lived in San Francisco CA where she was elected president of the “San Francisco Street Artist Guild”. Joy and her late friend Barbara Arnold (of Lake Geneva WI) created and sold copper enameling and cloisonné art street side. Together they packed up and moved to Bean Blossom IN where they opened an art studio in Nashville. While there, the Indianapolis Star featured an article about their work and during this time their art was also being sold at the Chicago Museum of Art’s gift shop. She then moved to Lake Geneva WI where she was employed by the Playboy Club. From there she went on to work for Gary Gygax (owner and founder of Dungeons and Dragons) as a project cooperator. For this job she frequently flew between Lake Geneva and Beverly Hills CA with her dog and constant companion “Pearly May the Flying Afghan Hound”. She moved to Otterbein IN and next was a volunteer for Shirley McClain’s meditation tour. Though her resume goes on, five years ago she retired and moved to Costa Rica. This was to be her final adventure on earth and the beginning of one in heaven.
Joy believed you could make something or someone even grander simply by giving them a new and marvelous name. The country home she shared with her beloved friend, Rick Bailey, was “Crystal Mound” and her grand Victorian home, was of course “The Joysonian”. “Lynda Joy Amber Koi” was the last name she bestowed on herself.
Joy is preceded in death by two infant sisters, Alice Ann and Denise McCoskey and one infant brother Little Joe McCoskey. She is survived by sisters Mary Ellen Daulton (husband “C”) of Otterbein IN and Deborah Ann “Deb” Parker (husband Basil) of Fowler IN. Brother William Robert “Bill” McCoskey II (wife Karen) of Seattle WA. Aunts “Monty” Weir Donham and Betty McCracken and one Uncle James McCracken. Niece Kymberly Daulton-Nies and Six nephews Rick Daulton, William McCoskey III, Joe McCoskey, Thomas Parker, Justin Parker and Ryan Parker.
Memorial service is to be held at the Fowler United Methodist Church in Fowler IN at 2:00pm on August 27th with graveside services to follow at Pond Grove cemetery Otterbein IN.
Rick,
On behalf of the entire family we want to thank you for being a constant friend and blessing in Joy’s life. Your strength and courage while handling the multitude of tasks and paper work necessary to bring her home from Costa Rica is commendable, and we thank you!
GOD BLESS YOU RICK BAILEY!
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