Born on February 28, 1950, in Fayetteville, NC, Gerald Thorne McKoy was the second of three children born to Marian Louise Thorne McKoy and Tildon Walker McKoy. He attended school in Fayetteville, and graduated from E. E. Smith Senior High School, where he was the salutatorian of the class of 1968. He then attended Wake Forest University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972 with a major in mathematics.

Gerald worked briefly as a systems analyst for Burroughs Corporation in Raleigh, NC. Later, he moved to Winston-Salem, bringing his talents as an analyst to R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, where he worked for over 20 years until his retirement. Never one to let grass grow under his feet, Gerald made the most of his retirement by traveling to destinations outside of the U. S. including France, England, Scotland, and Peru. Because staying connected to family and friends was important to him, he made frequent road trips around the country to spend time with them.

Gerald was a faithful and active member of Saint Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. He served in the church choir as Cantor, soloist, song leader, and he played for mass when needed. He was a representative of St. Benedict the Moor for the African American Affairs Ministry, Diocese of Charlotte. As the St. Benedict Computer Lab Coordinator, he offered computer classes and services to both parishioners and the community and he was a member of the church's Digital Data Team. As a member of the church's History Committee, he coordinated efforts resulting in the awarding of an historic marker to St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. The marker will be presented by the Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission later this year.

Gerald passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at his home in Winston-Salem.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Tildon Walker McKoy, Jr. (in infancy).

He is survived by his sister, Constance McKoy and brother-in-law, Rudolph Click of Kernersville, NC; his first cousins, Glenda and Kenneth Fox, Sr. of Fayetteville, NC, Pamela Cook and Bernard Dreyer of Tulsa, OK, Charles and Inge Howard of Killene, TX, and Joseph and Cynthia Howard of Ocean Springs, MS; and a host of additional relatives and friends.

Gerald, your caring, teasing, giving spirit will always live in our memories and in our hearts. We love you more than words can say and will miss you more than time can alter.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Monday, April 10, 2023 at Russell Funeral Home.

A family visitation will be held from 5:30pm until 7:00pm Monday, April 10, 2023 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.

Funeral mass will be held at 1:00pm Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Saint Benedict the Moor Catholic Church with Father Henry Tutuwan presiding.  Interment will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.