John McCoy, Tulalip tribal leader who served in WA legislature for 17 years, has died

Former Washington State Sen. John McCoy, a Tulalip tribal leader, died Tuesday of natural causes. He was 79.

McCoy, a Democrat, served in the state Legislature representing the 38th District covering Marysville, Tulalip, and parts of Everett for 17 years. He served as a Washington House Representative from 2003-2013, and as a state Senator from 2013-2020 before retiring.

Prior to his time in office, McCoy served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. After his service, McCoy returned to Tulalip where he took over as the executive director of governmental affairs and managed the tribe’s business. He was instrumental in the founding of the Tulalip Resort Casino.

He also served as an adjunct faculty member at The Evergreen State College for 10 years starting in 2013.

On Wednesday, the Washington state Department of Commerce released a statement about McCoy.

“It is with heavy hearts that the Department of Commerce sends condolences to the Tulalip Tribes and the family of Senator John McCoy,” the department’s statement reads. “We credit the late Senator John McCoy with being the first tribal leader that recognized the value of a strong partnership between the tribes and the Department of Commerce.

“He was described as being incredibly patient and caring while working with Commerce staff and carefully leading them down a path of learning how to be a good partner to tribal communities. He routinely went out of his way to be personally available to anyone at Commerce who had a question or needed guidance.”

The Department of Commerce also noted that McCoy was one of the first Tribal members elected to the state Legislature.

“His list of accomplishments is long and ranges from passing groundbreaking legislation to holding positions of leadership within the state legislature, but we argue his true impact is his legacy; a legacy of strong yet gentle leadership and embracing the value of partnership,” the statement says. “Through our grief and sorrow we find comfort in knowing that the best way to honor his life and legacy is to carry on his work and strengthen communities through thoughtful partnerships.”

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, also acknowledged McCoy’s passing at a U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing Wednesday.

“And if I could just take a moment to recognize the passing of one of our tribal leaders, John McCoy from the Tulalip Reservation,” Cantwell said. “Not only was he a 20-year member of the United States Air Force and a tribal leader at Tulalip, but he served our state legislature both as a representative and a senator, and we will miss him dearly.”

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen also expressed his condolences.

“As a citizen and as a member of the State Legislature, John was a formidable advocate for tribal rights — for the Tulalip Tribes and for all tribes,” Larsen said in a statement. “He focused on expanding access to education through new technologies and by ensuring that Washington state education included knowledge of Native peoples.”

McCoy is survived by his wife, Jeannie, of 58 years, three daughters, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The Everett Herald reports that the McCoy family is hosting memorial services at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Tulalip Gathering Hall and 9 a.m. Monday in the Tulalip Resort Casino. Family members also hope to hold a memorial in Olympia in the future.