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James "Jim" McGinnis III
James "Jim" McGinnis III
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James McGinnis Obituary
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Pam Gingold
June 30, 2025
Although it´s been so many years I just want to say that Jim was an incredible influence in my life. I´ve recently become a Christian and wanted to tell him! He is forever in my heart. We had so many conversations about peace and justice and parenting, and in the ensuing years I´ve become a professor. He´d have been so proud of me.
Love to Kathy.
Marcia Mauer-Mueller
September 10, 2009
Dear Kathy,
Please accept my sympathy in the loss of your dear husband. I always was so proud to read in the newspaper of your partnership in working for justice.
You were my social studies teacher at Rosati-Kain so many years ago, one of the best and most memorable teachers in my time there.
May you and your children and grandchildren continue in Jim's memory, living as you always have, as citizens living for others and showing the rest of us how much living with empathy means.
Marcia Mauer Mueller Class of 1967
Kathy Truman
August 25, 2009
The impact of Jim and Kathy's presence continues to bear good fruit in the lives of my children, now 32, 34, and 41 as they teach peace and nonviolence to my grandchildren. We attended the Parenting for Peace and Justice camps twice in Oregon. Jim's encouragement, humor, and challenge to take action on behalf of others continues to ripple through the generations. My heart goes out to Kathy, children, and grandchildren.
Bryan Lind
August 20, 2009
Dear Kathy and Theresa,
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I lost my father suddenly when he was age 63 about 5 years ago. I know it is one of the hardest things to go through and I empathize with your family. He was a truly great man and he will be missed. He truly did impact the world and make it a better more "peaceful" place. May God bless you and your family.
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Diana and Jim Oleskevich
August 19, 2009
Dear Kathy - it is with shock and sadness that we share your grief at Jim's sudden death. Of course he is dancing with God - probably clowing around too, because he was a wonderful lunatic for peace - and truly we are all better for knowing him and being touched by his peacemaking, justice walking and dear loving ways. We remember with joy all the times when our children were young together, and celebrate the times we did weekends and retreats with Jim, PPJ talks to share our lives and hours of PPJ Board meetings filled with laughter and seriousness all jumbled. We send you our prayers and hope that family and friends help to comfort you in the long loneliness of the days and weeks and months ahead. Blessings to you, dear peacemaker in your own right. May you have all the grace you need to be at peace. We thank God for having known and loved Jim and for the gift he was to the us and the whole world. With prayers and light...Jim and Diana Oleskevich
Donna Gross
August 18, 2009
Theresa,
I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I did not know Jim very well, just as one of our patients coming in for his appointment for PT. After going to his web site, reading and looking at pictures that were selected for the 40 year anniversary, it now makes sense to me why I felt drawn to Jim. He made it a point from the very first visit to know each of our first names in the office and from that day forward always would greet us with a hello then followed by our first name. He had his smile and would ask how we were doing then off to have his PT. He was a joy to see each week. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
God Bless,
Donna Gross (ProRehab)
Gus Scheid
August 17, 2009
Dear Kathy,
I sometimes view the Post-Dispatch on line. While doing so on the weekend, I learned of Jim's passing. I had a rush of memories of you and Jim in our student days back in the 60's. Through them all what stands out as I think of the two of you are the gentleness, integrity and warmth both of you showed to each other and the rest of us. Your principles were realized in your life. My prayers are with you and your family.
Gus Scheid (St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada)
Frank Rieger
August 17, 2009
Kathy, I was stunned when I heard of Jim's death, for he was and will continue to be a strong voice for peace and justice through the work of the Institute of Peace and Justice.
I fondly remember the times when he spread his peace and justice message to schools, parishes, and other forums in the Kansas City area, teaching that peace must begin within each of us and the family before it can touch others. These words of wisdom will remain with me forever.
May God bless you and your family as you grieve Jim's death. I know that his leagacy of peace, love and justice will continue to bless others for years to come.
Wendy Northup
August 17, 2009
Kathy, Tom, David and Theresa, I have so many memories that sharing briefly doesn't seem possible. But one of my favorites is of Jim at our house many years ago, waking up in the morning on the sofa bed in the family room and welcoming Adam, Maris and Kathleen into the bed so he could tell them fantastic stories. His youthful spirit and love for children characterized his work for peace and justice--he truly was the embodiment of Francis, his model and mentor. We love you all so much and are grieving with you. Wendy
Shell Balek, OSF
August 17, 2009
Dear Kathy and Family: Know of my prayerful support at this time of loss. I am immensely grateful for the gift his life has been to me and so many others. He had a special way of being totally present and attentive to each person thus calling forth the specialness of each individual. He has been friend and mentor to me. I carry fond memories of our time together in Assisi for the Pax Christi Anniversary -- especially the wonderful way he connected with "strangers" in the piazza with his "Francis the Clown" and the walk up Mt. Subacio for the sunrise; the meaningful conversations along the way and his wonderful sense of humor. He has been a tremendous inspiration for me in my work for justice and peace and his spirit will continue to live on and inspire me and so many others. May you know God's presence and peace. In gratitude for a life well-lived...my prayers are with you.
August 16, 2009
Our prayers go peacefully to Kathy and children and grandchildren. Jim and Patti Adams
Sean Camp
August 16, 2009
My prayers and love go out to you and the family. Mr. McGinnis was, is and always will be a father to me. Mom, you can call on me if you need help with anything. Theresa, you will always be a very dear friend to me and I will always have memories of Dad. God bless.
Ed & Peg Gleason
August 16, 2009
Dear Kathy and family. God bless and know that Jim rests peacefully with Christ. His pictures of the ocean here in San Francisco will always remind us to say another Ave for Jim.
Peace Ed & Peg Gleason San Francisco
Dorothea Scott
August 16, 2009
My sincerest sympathy and prayers to you Kathy and family. I will miss Jim's church hugs. He would always find the time to speak and hug me at St. Alphonsus Rock Catholic Church.
To Jim, I say well done, good and faithful servant, may you rest in arms of Christ.
Dorothea Scott - "Rock church family."
August 16, 2009
Kathy
We greatly regret not having had the chance to know Jim as brother Dan Darst did. Jim had a glorious life.
Guy & Kitty Darst
Ginny Schrappen
August 16, 2009
Kathy,
I got this terrible news via Gen Cassani who wrote to me. I am in Seattle presently and CANNOT be at Jim's Funeral. I am so disappointed. I know SO many people will be there for you. Jim's obit was so TRUE. There is NO one like Jim. To know Jim was to love Jim. He was a true disciple of Christ and indeed the world is better to have known him. And I am so glad that I could Know him and be part of his life, through you and the work of the Institute. I know how SAD you must be and the children. Words seem so hollow, but I love you and Jim and you are in my thoughts at this time, even though I am a distance away.
Love always,
Ginny Schrappen
The Ghere Family
August 16, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
August 16, 2009
We will forever remember Jim's many visits here in the Kansas City area to train youth for the Teens Acting for Peace (TAP) program, his "Francis the Clown" visits to our local schools and his love and passion for Justice. Jim worked so hard to promote the mission and programs of IPJ, and he is truely one of the big "pebbles of peace" that he taught are so needed to overcome the boulders of violence and hate in our world. Our prayers and thoughts are with Kathy and their family at this time, may God bless you. Love, Mike & Cathy Cazares
David McBriar, OFM
August 16, 2009
Kathy,
Please accept my deepest sympathy. There was no one like Jim who inspired me and so many of us to work for both peace and justice. Of course, he lives with Christ. May he continue from his place in heaven to generously and selflessly guide us in the work of the gospel.
Fr. David McBriar, O.F.M.
Raleigh, NC
Richard Linneberger
August 16, 2009
Kathy, my heart and prayers are with you. Jim was such a wonderful person. He is at peace -- Jim's dream of "peace" is now being experienced by him. May you be consoled with much love and support. Richard Linneberger
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