About John McCoy
Lived 1943 – 2023 (aged 79). John McCoy was an American politician.
John Richard McCoy (, October 29, 1943 – June 6, 2023) was a Tulalip politician of the Democratic Party based in the state of Washington. In 2013, he was appointed to the State Senate to fill a vacancy and represent the 38th Legislative District. He previously served more than 10 years in the Washington House of Representatives (2003–2013).
McCoy was the only self-identified Native American in the State Senate. In 2013, along with Jeff Morris (Tsimshian), he was one of the two Native Americans in the state legislature. He attended local schools.
McCoy spent 20 years in the Air Force before retiring in 1981. He then became a computer technician at the White House, before leaving to start a career in the private sector. the tribe's new municipality established in 2001. It included a gaming casino and business park. In 2005 the tribe also opened a 125-store retail outlet, all part of its efforts to diversify the tribe's economy and provide new jobs.
In his fifth term in the state legislature, McCoy gained passage of a bill to establish a procedure "for the state to cede jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters on tribal lands to federal and tribal governments." He retired from the State Senate on April 17, 2020, citing concerns about his health, and was succeeded by appointee June Robinson.
Personal life McCoy had three daughters with his wife Jeannie; the family also had 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren . He died on June 6, 2023, at home in Tulalip.
Awards and honors McCoy received the 2009 Fuse "Sizzle" Award. He was honored with the Strong Man Award for defending a citizens' clean energy initiative–Initiative-937–from major rollbacks. He brought two sides of the legislature together on the issue to reach a workable compromise.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in John McCoy's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John McCoy's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John McCoy?
American politician
When was John McCoy born?
John McCoy was born on 29 October 1943 in Tulalip Bay.
When did John McCoy die?
John McCoy died on 6 June 2023.
What was John McCoy's occupation?
John McCoy was a politician.
What nationality was John McCoy?
John McCoy was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John McCoy (American politician)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John McCoy. https://biography.guide/john-mccoy-politician/
MLA: "John McCoy." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-mccoy-politician/.
Chicago: "John McCoy." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-mccoy-politician/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:12 UTC