Mickey Hoy passes away over the weekend

Mickey Hoy, one of the pillars of the Marlow community, passed away Sunday in Duncan.

Hoy was noted for a Hall of Fame football coaching career to many outside of Marlow but his dedication and service to the city impacted many.

“I am always reminded he was the biggest fan and biggest cheerleader for the city,” said Debbe Ridley, Marlow Chamber of Commerce, executive director. “I know he didn’t live most of his adult life here, but after he came here and then retired from education, he started a business and was a community leader.”

Hoy served two terms on the Marlow City Council. The first stint was from May 21, 1996 to May 28, 2002 and then from May 26, 2009 to May 5, 2014. He also served on the personnel board from 2015 until retiring earlier this year on May 28.

Hoy also served time on the Chamber of Commerce board and was heavily involved with the Lions Club.

“Anytime you needed something, he was there – he and (wife) Karen – to help. Whether it was helping someone in need or washing dishes, he was always smiling and a joy to be around. He was a delight to be around, his attitude spilled on to you. He was just a fine human being and such an asset to the community. His light might not have gone out but he will be sorely, sorely missed.”

After graduating Marlow High School and then college, his first head coaching job was in Tuttle from 1965 to 1968 where he accumulated a 29-12 record and a state runner-up. He also coached at El Reno in 1973-75.

Hoy garnered the most success at Davis, where he won two state championships (1979, 1986) and seven district championships. He ended his coaching career with a 162-46-2 record. He returned to Marlow in 1988 to become the high school principal and then would coach two years (1990-91), where he had back-to-back 10-3 seasons, the best winning percentage by any coach in school history.

Hoy won district titles both years and went 201 both years in the postseason ending in the quarterfinals both seasons.

He was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995. He was also inducted into the University of Central Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

He was named Oklahoma’s Coach of the Year following the 1979 state championship in Davis. The team was the first to break 500 points scored in a season. 

Hoy was also a musician and songwriter.

District 51 State Rep. Brad Boles of Marlow said Hoy will be greatly missed.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the Hoy family during this very difficult time,” Boles said.. “Mickey was a community leader that will be greatly missed by many throughout our city and our state He spent countless hours coaching kids on the ballfields as well as teaching them in the classrooms. His passion and willingness to serve others in our community touched many lives through various avenues whether it was through his church, civic organizations, the classroom, the ballfields or his business that he had in town for years. Mickey also served our city for years as a city councilman and was very well respected and loved throughout the community.”

First Baptist pastor Joe Ligon echoed those words.

“Mickey was a prime example of what it meant to give your life to your community and he did that as a coach, school administrator, a business owner and a city councilman. He gave his life to for the betterment of the community.”

A memorial service was held Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Marlow where he was a deacon.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Karen, one son (Michael Hoy) and three daughters (Katheryn Jane Melton, Kelly Michelle Hancock and Krystal Leigh McMains).