As Eden Prairie grew, Jerry McCoy built a strong foundation for its schools

Jerry McCoy left an indelible mark on Eden Prairie – not just as a leader, but with the quiet, lasting influence of an educator at heart. His charisma, “million-dollar smile,” and warmth touched countless lives, as only a teacher can.

McCoy, who died Oct. 30 at 87, played a key role in Eden Prairie’s transformation from a small town to a thriving suburb.

As superintendent of Eden Prairie Schools from 1980 to 1996, he led the district through significant growth with innovative planning and steady leadership. A longtime resident until recent years, he stayed active in the community after retiring.

“I’d say he was a great leader, both as a father and as a member of the community,” said his son, Paul McCoy. “He led by example, stayed true to his principles, and was very principle-centered. And above all, he had a fantastic sense of humor. That’s something I wouldn’t want to leave out – it really defined him.”

An educator at heart

McCoy’s path to education was far from direct. Born Dec. 4, 1936, in Worthington, Minnesota, McCoy was the second of 10 children raised by Lawrence and Mildred McCoy (Burns). According to his obituary, his early years on a southwestern Minnesota farm inspired him to consider farming, but the grind of milking cows quickly dimmed its appeal.

His son, Paul, shared that McCoy spent four years in seminary at St. Mary’s in Winona before deciding the priesthood wasn’t for him. Encouraged by his brother to pursue teaching, he earned a degree in English and dramatic arts from Mankato State University (now Minnesota State University, Mankato).

McCoy started his teaching career in Springfield, Illinois, while earning a master’s degree at the University of Illinois. After returning to Minnesota, he taught high school English in Burnsville before moving into administration, first as a junior high principal and later as a central office administrator. In 1980, he was named superintendent of Eden Prairie Schools.

During his tenure, McCoy made pivotal decisions that reshaped the district, including advocating for a single high school as Eden Prairie’s population surged and strategically positioning elementary schools across the city to accommodate growth

Bob Hallett, a retired longtime Eden Prairie educator who worked closely with McCoy, reflected on his impact on the school district and community.

“Jerry was the right person at the right time for the Eden Prairie school system,” said Hallett, who served as principal of Prairie View, Forest Hills, and Eden Lake elementary schools. “He was politically astute, educationally sound, and tough enough when he had to be.”

Hallett noted that McCoy’s ability to connect with people stood out throughout his career and beyond.

“He always remembered people’s names,” Hallett said. “He’d visit my building, meet new teachers, and remember their names. It was amazing. And he had a million-dollar smile.”

Paul McCoy noted that his father’s decision to keep Eden Prairie as a single high school community was controversial. While many believed a second high school was necessary, his father stood firm, convinced that one was the better choice.

“He was very principled in his decisions and stuck to what he thought was best for the community,” Paul said. “That’s what defined him – his ability to stay true to his values while navigating complex challenges.

Gary Stevens, a longtime member of the Eden Prairie Lions Club, fondly recalled McCoy’s practical advice on college decisions.

Stevens recalled McCoy sharing what he told his four children: “You can pick whatever college you want to go to … however, the check will be going to Mankato State.” It inspired Stevens to send two of his three children to Mankato State.

“If it was good enough for the superintendent of Eden Prairie – and the 1989 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year – it was good enough for me,” Stevens said.

Family above all

Although McCoy’s career kept him busy, his family always came first. He and his wife of 58 years, Louise “Lou” McCoy (Budde), shared a partnership rooted in love and community service. Lou died in 2018, but together they left a legacy of generosity to both their family and the community.

Paul recalled the simple yet meaningful rules his father instilled, such as always being home for dinner at 6 p.m. “We ate together every night, and that sense of family resonated over the years,” he said.

At the cherished family cabin – fondly named “Supemapa” (from the first two letters of his children’s names: Susan, Peggy, Mary, and Paul) – another steadfast rule applied: When you’re on the dock, wear a life jacket. “Stuff like that – little things he did to keep it simple,” Paul said. “He didn’t complicate things. He’d say, ‘Let’s make these rules pretty simple, and then you won’t forget them.’”

Paul said his father was always teaching in a thoughtful way. “He used to have a saying: ‘When a student is ready to learn, a teacher will appear,’” Paul said. “That was what he instilled in us – a good work ethic and simple, meaningful lessons.”

A renaissance man

Those who knew McCoy through his volunteering and work in Eden Prairie remembered him for his remarkable talents and strong connections.

His involvement with organizations such as the Eden Prairie Lions Club, Meals on Wheels, and the Eden Prairie AM Rotary Club helped him forge lasting relationships and make a significant impact on the community.

“He was very sharp – he made excellent decisions as superintendent, particularly with the school district’s real estate and building plans,” said friend Terry Eggan, also a member of the Mixed Nuts and Lions Club.

But Eggan emphasized that McCoy was more than just a skilled leader.

“He was a talented painter and writer, and though I never saw him cook, I’d say he was something of a renaissance man,” Eggan said. “He was unassuming, though. A guy like Jerry could have easily been the center of attention, but he didn’t mind fading into the background when he wanted to.”

Eggan explained that the Mixed Nuts, a fishing club that has been around for more than 40 years, brings together men from different generations with ties to Eden Prairie. “We call it the Mixed Nuts because of that,” he said. “We take two trips a year – one to Canada in the spring and another to a different location in the fall. It’s a lot of camaraderie and good times.”

Eggan said McCoy cherished these trips: “He and Jack Hacking (Eden Prairie’s first police chief, who died in 2022) often fished together – they always had fun.”

Friend Tom Anderson described McCoy as a dear friend and fondly recalled their time together in the Lions Club and the Mixed Nuts fishing group.

“We had a lot of good times together,” he said. “He was a good fisherman. He ran the motor, and we shared plenty of laughs and good conversations.”

Anderson, who was one of 13 students in the 1956 graduating class of Eden Prairie High School, praised McCoy for his impactful decisions that shaped the community’s growth. “Building the schools and planning for the population – it was impressive,” he said.

Gary Watkins, a longtime friend and fellow Lions Club member, shared similar sentiments. Watkins and McCoy were neighbors in Richfield for about eight years during the 1970s, before McCoy moved to Eden Prairie to become superintendent. In 1988, Watkins also relocated to Eden Prairie, settling about a mile or so from McCoy.

“We helped each other with a lot of construction projects – he helped me build my garage and family room addition, and I helped with his kitchen addition,” Watkins said. “I remember he was always straightening nails to reuse them. He wouldn’t throw out a nail unless it was really bent.”

Watkins reflected on McCoy’s ability to connect with people wherever he went.

“He just knew so many people,” he said. “Anytime we went somewhere together, like the auto show, he’d run into at least three or four people he knew. It was unreal. He had such a big presence in the community.”

Eden Prairie City Council member Lisa Toomey shared fond memories of McCoy, whom she met through his wife, Lou. Toomey and Lou volunteered together in Meals on Wheels and the Lioness Club, which at the time partnered with the Lions Club, where McCoy was a member.

“He had such a great sense of humor,” Toomey said. “I remember we bonded over both being of Irish descent. Then one day, he and Lou traveled overseas, and someone told him McCoy wasn’t an Irish name – it was Scottish! He came back saying, ‘My whole life I thought I was Irish!’”

Later, while visiting Ireland, Toomey came across a shop selling coats of arms with family histories. She noticed one labeled “McCoy” and decided to purchase it.

“I had it framed and gave it to him,” she recalled. “He sent me the nicest thank-you note for it, which was so funny and heartfelt that I actually sent him a thank-you note for his thank-you note! I still have it somewhere – it’s not something I’d ever throw away.”

A life well lived

Even after retiring from the district in 1996, McCoy continued to shape education through his work with Cuningham Group Architecture. His expertise influenced school remodels and designs across Minnesota and beyond.

“He worked on creating flexible designs so schools could be repurposed more easily, like turning them into office spaces if enrollment numbers declined,” his son Paul said. “That’s something every district faces at some point – declining enrollment – and he helped districts think ahead with their designs. He also guided them on planning referendums and engaging with the public. He did that for close to 10 years.”

In 2002, McCoy ran for Eden Prairie mayor.

“He ran but didn’t win,” Paul recalled of his father’s campaign against Nancy Tyra-Lukens. “I thought he had a good shot, but it was still a good experience for him. He always said he got into education because he didn’t want to be in politics, but being a superintendent involved a lot of politics anyway – dealing with parents, students, and the general public.“

In recent years, McCoy battled Parkinson’s disease. “That’s a tough one – you can’t beat that. But he was doing pretty well overall, considering,” Paul said. “He had a couple of falls, though, and those are tough to come back from.” At the time of his death, McCoy was living in a memory care facility in Eagan.

A memorial service for McCoy is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at Pax Christi Catholic Church, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie. Visitation will take place one hour before the service, with an additional visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Road.

“He did so much for Eden Prairie and lived a fantastic life,” Toomey said. “He was a wonderful person who left a lasting impact on this community.”