John Herbert McGinnis

1937 - 2015

JOHN HERBERT MCGINNIS John Herbert McGinnis was born June 19, 1937 in Los Angeles, California to Leo and Lorene McGinnis. He passed away on June 5, 2015 at WestHaven Assisted Living in Orland, California from a 6 month battle with cancer. John grew up in Long Beach, California and attended various elementary schools there. His family moved to Glendale, California and he attended Glendale High School, graduating in 1955. Right after high school he joined the Air Force for 4 years and part of that time was stationed in Japan, which he loved. After the Air Force he moved to Sacramento where his family then lived and attended American River Junior College and then Sacramento State College, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering in June 1966. After graduating, he worked for the US Bureau of Reclamation in various offices as an electrical engineer. He married Gloria Jean Heidrick on October 7, 1972 and worked in the Willows Bureau office until his retirement in 1990. Just before retirement, John planted 90 acres of pistachio trees and then installed a processing plant for these trees. Thus began Artois Nut Co., processing and bagging pistachio nuts under the Homestead Orchard brand. John is survived by his wife Gloria of 42 years, daughters Kathy McGinnis and Patty Mills, her husband Bryan Mills, and his sister Rita Cantrell of Keno, Oregon, along with her family, numerous cousins, and friends. No services are planned at this time. A private family burial will take place at the Artois Cemetery. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to WestHaven Assisted Living at 1440 Fairview in Orland, California 95963. We thank Enloe Hospital and staff, Hospice, and Dr. Ackerman, Dr. Fritzler, Dr. Bonis, and Dr. Ferguson for their kind and compassionate care of John. A very special thank you to Mike and Andrea Ware and to WestHaven Assisted Living and their wonderful staff.