https://www.jacksonville.com/obituaries/psar1541040

Bob, on right, with Joe Thomas  (2018)

Robert Smith McCoy, Jr. was born on August 6, 1938, in Traverse City, Michigan, to the late Marion Sweet McCoy and Robert Smith McCoy. In the announcement of his birth, his mother noted his red hair and bright blue eyes. Known for his intellectual curiosity, dedicated work ethic, and keen mind for numbers, Bob made friends everywhere he went and treated others with respect and kindness.

After graduating from Western Michigan University in 1961, Bob moved to New York City with his first wife, Barbara McKinnon McCoy, and their son, David. He would often reminisce about the move and his first position as a C.P.A. with Price Waterhouse & Co.—starting in the heat of summer wearing a wool suit and fedora hat and commuting daily on the Staten Island Ferry. He was promoted to partner in 1974. The growing family, now including sons Don and Rob, relocated to Ohio, South Carolina, and Colorado.

In 1984, Bob returned to Columbia and joined South Carolina National Corporation as its president until the company merged with Wachovia in 1991. He was widely respected as a tenacious yet fair negotiator, with a thoughtful focus on people. Following Barbara’s death in 1992, Bob was named chief financial officer of Wachovia Corporation and moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, beginning a new chapter both professionally and personally. In 1995, he married Sarah (Sally) Harper Parrott. Delaying his retirement by five years, he completed the merger of First Union and Wachovia in 2003 and in an interview said this period was the most exhilarating and challenging of his career. In retirement, he continued to serve on numerous corporate boards and nonprofit organizations, including Krispy Kreme, MedCath Corporation, Web.com, Financial Services Volunteer Corps, and Historic Charleston Foundation.

Bob and Sally spent the retirement years traveling extensively and visiting with family and friends. His lifetime of adventures included joyous summers along Grand Traverse Bay with his extended McCoy, Quackenbush, and Bignell families, driving his father’s car on the Traverse City railroad tracks, a wayward sailboat in Hawaii, a tumble beneath a ski lift at Copper Mountain, biking through France, fishing in the Keys, and golfing far and wide.

He especially enjoyed the time spent with his and Sally’s children, their spouses, and their ten grandchildren. Bob engaged the grandchildren in hours of games and reading and enjoyed watching their sporting events and hearing their latest news.

Bob’s morning routine, marked by 5 a.m. workouts, reflected his disciplined nature. Bob was always punctual! A great host, he made sure to offer a cocktail, ensuring everyone felt welcome. He considered himself a lucky man and will be remembered for his humility, generosity, and appreciation for art, music, and history. He will be dearly missed.

Bob is survived by his wife, Sarah H. McCoy; his sons, David J. McCoy, Donald L. McCoy (Deborah Carter), and Robert S. McCoy, III; and his grandchildren, Barbara Lauren McCoy, Aidan McCoy, and Carter McCoy. He is also survived by Sally’s children, L. Allan Parrott, Jr. (Audrey), Sarah P. Lathrop (Tony), and Catherine P. Bolton (Richard); and their children, Allan Parrott, Pretlow Parrott, Heyward Mainous (Dan), Ted Lathrop, Henry Lathrop, Richard Bolton, and William Bolton.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara M. McCoy; his parents, Marion S. McCoy and Robert S. McCoy; his brother, Jack S. McCoy; and his daughter-in-law, Harriett McCoy.

Memorial services and receptions celebrating Bob’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at Christ Church Ponte Vedra Beach, 400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, South Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Charleston Library Society, 164 King Street, Charleston, SC, 29401 and the Columbia Music Festival Association, 914 Pulaski Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

Posted online on August 12, 2026

Published in Florida Times Union