Michael James McGinnis

Michael James McGinnis, 49, was born in Phoenix to James Francis McGinnis and Betty Ruth Buie McGinnis. He died on March 3, 2006 after an eleven-year battle with hemochromatosis and, later, cancer. Mike was a happy, athletic, and precocious child who read at the twelve-grade level while only in the fifth grade. He won the Tavan School spelling bee in the eighth grade. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning a God and Country Award and served as an acolyte with the Episcopal Church. Early on, his interest in music led him to sing in the Phoenix Boys Choir. Eventually, he became a skilled drummer, receiving a music scholarship to Scottsdale Community College. For years he was the drummer for Coyote, a local country & western band. Later, Mike decided to further his education, graduating with a B.A. in English from ASU with a minor in Spanish. During this time he worked as a bartender at the Tee Pee Restaurant to support himself. Mike was hired by Radio Shack in Las Cruces, NM, where he received management training. He was soon managing a store in El Paso, TX. He worked in this capacity until he became ill and returned to Phoenix in 1997. He returned to Radio Shack and subsequently the Tee Pee for a short time. He became a paralegal but preferred working with young people. This passion led him to teaching English to Spanish-speaking students as a substitute teacher. During his illness and up until the time of his death, he was an independent insurance agent. He loved golf, fishing, camping, horseback riding and being with his dear friends. Mike is survived by his mother, Betty, his father, James, his two sisters, Patricia Boomsma and Susan Lindsay, his nephew and godson, David Patterson, and a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Memorial services will be held at the Lincoln Heights Christian Church at 2121 E. Lincoln Rd. on Mar. 13, 2006 at 6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.