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The founder of McCoy's Building Supply died Jan. 7, 2012.

The founder of McCoy's Building Supply, Emmett Francis McCoy, 88, of San Marcos, died Jan. 7.

In a statement from the City of San Marcos, Mayor Daniel Guerrero expressed his sadness at McCoy's death.

"Our hearts go out to Miriam McCoy, the McCoy family and the McCoy Corporation employees," the statement read. "Emmett and Miriam McCoy have long been quiet, unassuming and generous donors to the San Marcos community, helping build the Hays Caldwell Women's Center, the San Marcos Animal Shelter and assisting the City of San Marcos in purchasing the Spring Lake Natural Area a few years ago. Their support for Texas State University established the McCoy College of Business Administration."

McCoy was born Feb. 27, 1923, in Houston. He was the son of Frank and Margaret (Drees) McCoy, and grew up in Galveston. His family moved to Galveston when he was 4, the same year Frank McCoy founded McCoy Roofing Company.

Emmett McCoy and his wife, Miriam Swanson, met while he attended New York Trade School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in April 1943, serving in an Engineer Aviation Battalion in the Pacific.

He was discharged as a sergeant in January 1946, and he and Miriam married Feb. 23, 1946, in upstate New York. They returned to Texas, where McCoy founded McCoy Supply Co. in the 1950s. The company later became McCoy's Building Supply.

The couple moved to San Marcos in 1972, making it their adopted hometown.

The business started small, but at the time of McCoy's retirement in 1997, the company had grown to more than 90 locations with sales of more than $400 million, according to information provided by the company. McCoy's is one now of the largest family-owned businesses in the industry.

Other business enterprises that McCoy was involved in included Balcones Bank and McCoy Land & Cattle Co.

Once retired, Emmett and Miriam focused on philanthropy. Their gift to the Emmett & Miriam McCoy College of Business is the single largest gift received by Texas State University to date. Their gifts, both large and small, were often anonymous.

"Emmett McCoy leaves a lasting legacy, and we are profoundly grateful for his life and service," Guerrero said in the statement.

McCoy is survived by his wife of 65 years, Miriam Swanson McCoy; daughter, Brenda McCoy Remme, and husband, Kaare; son, Michael Emmett McCoy, and wife, Myra; Brian Francis McCoy and wife, Wetonnah; daughter-in-law, Cindy Cox McCoy; nine grandchildren and their spouses; and 18 (soon to be 21) great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Patrick McCoy, and grandson, Keith Evan Remme.

A public memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the San Marcos Conference Center at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 1001 East McCarty Lane, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Hays-Caldwell Women's Center or the McCoy College of Business Foundation at Texas State University.