Donald Ray “Butch” McGinnis, 78, of Kingwood, was called home to glory on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Lake Wales, Fla. He was born May 4, 1944 in Howesville, a son of the late Jesse Ray McGinnis and Elma (Miller) McGinnis. His wife, Patricia “Pat” (Shahan) McGinnis survives, they were united in marriage July 19, 1995.
Don grew up in Howesville, Kingwood and Tunnelton. He was a 1962 graduate of Tunnelton High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard immediately after completing high school, and served his country for six years. He was on standby to board the ship if Russia would have sent missiles to Cuba during the Cuban Conflict. He also served during Vietnam, but his unit was never deployed.
Don began his working life managing an oil company bulk plant, then worked as a dispatcher for Coastal Tank Lines and a tank transport driver for Ashland Oil Co., where he finished with 18 years of service and 88,000 accident free miles. In 1986, he went into business with a partner owning Preston Fuel and Propane, where he retired after 16 years.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, sports and, most importantly, spending time with his grandsons, who he often referred to as, “the joy of his life.” Don will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, story and joke telling, and his search for the next place to have dessert. He attended Grace United Church in Gladesville.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Amy McGinnis, of Kingwood, Kelli Beavers and husband Matt, of Reedsville, and Dee Josephson and husband Rob, of Columbia, S.C.; five grandchildren, Quinton Berry, Laken Root, Gage Beavers, Liam Root and Bob Josephson; and one great-granddaughter, Valentina Berry.
Don was the last surviving member of his immediate family, having been preceded by four brothers, Ronald Eugene McGinnis, Charles “Chuck” McGinnis, James McGinnis and Kenny McGinnis; and three sisters, Burline Whetsell, Marcenna Bolyard and Pauline Whetsell; and one grandson, Edwin Josephson.
Friends may call at Kingwood Funeral Home, 295 S. Price St., from 3-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22 and from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour on Thursday. Funeral services will be conducted at the funeral home at noon on Thursday, Feb. 23 with Pastor Marshall Woods officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Memorial donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5024 Hagerstown, MD 21741, or the USA Patriot Amputee Softball Team, c/o Kids Camp, P.O. Bos 151024, Cape Coral, FL 33915.
Condolences:
www.kingwoodfuneralhomewv.com
