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James McGinty Obituary
An accomplished and beloved member of the comics community, Ian created "Welcome to Showside" and collaborated with major publishers and studios such as Cartoon Network, Boom! Studios, Nickelodeon, and IDW Publishing. Known for his thoughtful and encouraging support of young artists, Ian was generous with his time, humor, and professional connections. His legacy is documented by the notes of appreciation received from so many for the life-changing impacts he made.
Ian earned his Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts at St. Mary's College of Southern Maryland and Master's from the Savannah College of Art & Design in 2013.
The hole left in the fabric of his family is gaping. He is survived by his parents, James and Laura McGinty, younger brothers Thomas (Gina) and Patrick (Li Yunxuan - Jenny), Grandmother Shirley McGinty, and a treasured abundance of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The gift of Ian's life will be celebrated at a private gathering.
Friends may make a contribution in Ian's name to The Hero's Initiative (HeroInitiative.org), or offer a bit of encouragement to a young, creative person navigating a life in the arts.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Diane Gerrior
July 4, 2023
My sincere condolences to the McGinty family I had in my music classes. He was a dear young man who left this world way too young.
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Karen Smith
June 16, 2023
To lose such a treasure is unbearable. To have so many people remember Ian with loving memories is special. You will be in my thoughts and prayers for healing from this painful time. Be comforted that Ian is at rest.
Georgia Carroll
June 15, 2023
Ian, thank you for your hard work, and belief in using the creative spirit for good. We won't forget you!
Georgia, Bellingham, WA
LJ Coppage
June 15, 2023
As a parent of an artist, I sympathize with the loss this young man must have on the family that supported his every endeavor. My sincere condolences are extended to his family, friends and colleagues who witnessed his growth and talent.
Evette Taggart
June 15, 2023
I am sure Ian's legacy of kindness, and his artistry will live on to inspire the future artists who will build on what he started. There are no words to really ease the pain of loss but know his memories and love remain to keep all of his family until you meet him again in God's Kingdom. Prayers for all of you to be comforted and heal.
Ken McFarlane
June 15, 2023
Ian McGinty is one of the world´s most friendly people. His passion for both his art and people shines through. Whilst I may not have known him well our interactions were always warm and friendly and I know he will be missed.
Ronda Csiti
June 15, 2023
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. But there is nothing 'natural' about a 38 year old passing away :(
Tracy Respress
June 14, 2023
So sorry for the loss of such a wonderful young man. Gone to soon. His family is in my thoughts and prayers !
Mrs. Denise Gibson
June 14, 2023
Condolences to Ian McGinty's entire Family. Life is hard and so is a Death of a Love one. we never know, When our life will end. .only God, It's not the tender young age, that he died at, It's about all the good work, deeds, etc, and all the People that he inspired and touched their lives. Made a difference in their lives. family I know you loved him, but God loved him best. we all will have to leave one day. Just like Ian, but leave a positive Legacy as he did. McGinty Family, my most sincere Prayers are sent to you, and I pray; that God will comfort each one of you. and keep you all in his tender Loving care.
Mark Williams
June 14, 2023
This is so sad. He was so young, your set free now from this old world now, God will welcome you with open arms,
Cheryl
June 14, 2023
So sorry for your loss. He seemed like such a loving person even though I did not know him personally.
Melinda
June 14, 2023
Ian - you are so special. I'm so sad. Sending love to your family across the miles. We'll be watching the stars for you and thinking of you laughing at us down here.
Sandeybeach V
June 14, 2023
Sorry for everyone's loss especially his family and loved ones. Why do good people go so early in life? He and his work will be missed!
Rena Vicenti
June 14, 2023
Im so sorry for your lost .....
Prayers for James..
He's in a better place....
He will be missed...
Much love ..
Bob Herman
June 14, 2023
My sympathies to the family and friends of Ian. Wanted to reach out to Jim and Laura, and his younger brothers and send prayers and my condolences. Please reach out if you need anything in this trying time.
Jeramiah
June 14, 2023
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Naty Argueta.
June 14, 2023
He was a very dear friend to me and will always have a place in my heart. I am so thankful that I got to know him, even if it was an online friendship. Ian meant so much to everyone who knew him, and he will be sorely missed. I will miss him forever and always.
janice beal
June 14, 2023
I did not know your son James, but I too lost an only son at an young age. I can imagine the pain. I send my condolences to you. May God strengthen you and may you find some level of peace by and by. May God cover and comfort your family
Erline Sowell
June 14, 2023
Mr. McGinty will be missed. Please accept my sincere condolences.
CAROL CORTESE
June 14, 2023
iDO NOT KNOW YOUR SON I AM VERY SORRY YOU LOST YOUR SON TO YOUNG TO DIE
Audrey
June 14, 2023
My deepest condolences on the loss of Ian. His lasting memories will live on! RIP Ian
Mike Bancroft
June 14, 2023
My heart goes out to the McGinty family for their tragic loss. Please know that you are loved and are in our thoughts
Emily Sampson
June 13, 2023
I had the extreme fortune of attending SCAD with Ian and sharing many classes with him. He was a constant joy and encouragement, a light when things got dark. His passing is a profound loss to the community and he will be greatly missed, and always remembered.
Cristina C
June 13, 2023
I don't know him personally. But I looked up to his work. It had vim and vigor that was uncommon and it was obviously drawn with love.
Bnie H.
June 13, 2023
I was introduced to Ian in 2015 at a convention by a friend, and he was friendly enough to remember me each following con i visited him at alone. He was only ever friendly, jovial and encouraging to me in-person and online where we had many exchanges via twitter. I feel so fortunate and grateful to have been witness to his artwork and wonderful self as an artist myself who will always hope to affect those after me the way Ian has. All my love to those close to him.
Tori Williams
June 13, 2023
I met Ian for the first time at ECCC in 2014 because I was a fan of his work, and he was so utterly kind and warm to talk to. We talked again at cons as well as on twitter afterwards as mutuals, chatting MST3K and otherwise. He was always funny, sweet, and wonderfully creative. I really can't believe that I won't see him pop up with new art or thoughts about the new Clone High again, but I am so grateful that I knew him even just a little.
Melanie
June 13, 2023
Rest easy, Ian. What little I knew of you was positive and inspiring and it reflected in your work. The world will be a little less bright without you.
Shivana Sookdeo
June 13, 2023
I wish I had known him better, but our brief acquaintance was full of warmth and kindness. Though I was no one extraordinary he still treated me with the utmost respect. I know it was the same for all of us who had the chance to meet Ian. I hope, in time, the sweetness of his memory outweighs the pain for your family. We will carry his legacy. You will forever be missed, Ian. Rest well.
Tyson Hesse
June 13, 2023
I first met Ian at a comic convention in 2015. He was about to take over the art on a comic series I was moving on from. We were both there to do sketches for visitors to the booth and it was immediately clear how much Ian cared for his work. He probably did twice as many sketches as I did that day, and sent twice as many happy kids home with something that I'm sure they still treasure. Through the years we would meet up at that same booth and Ian's enthusiasm never wavered. His sincerity was infallible and infectious and I'm lucky to have worked along side him on other projects in the following years. No one ever had an unkind thing to say about Ian and that will be true infinitely now. The tragedy of his death won't be overshadowed by the greatness of his life, and I hope we can continue to share stories of his positive influence for years and years to come. Rest in peace.
Whitney Leopard
June 13, 2023
Ian,
I´m grateful to have been able to call you a friend all these years. You were my first friend at art school and I will cherish the fact that we´ve been able to stay connected all these years. I´m going to miss your voice, and your infectious laugh, and gossiping with you. You were always the kindest person in the room, ready to do whatever it too to support anyone and to share your love and passion for storytelling. You are missed and I send all my love to your family.
Andrea
June 13, 2023
Ian was the sweetest and most friendly person in comics. He always had a smile and kind word for anyone who needed it. He loves comics so much and was so passionate about Welcome to Showside and his work. I miss you so much Ian. Someone please give Pigrat all the pets <3
Holly Aitchison
June 13, 2023
Ian McGinty was one of the kindest and warmest people I've ever known. He lifted up everyone he came across in comics, and truly just wanted to Make Comics. It was inspiring, and I wish we'd all had more time with him.
Ian, I miss you. Love you.
Whitney Leopard
June 13, 2023
Ian, I´m grateful that our friendship lasted beyond college, projects, and job moves. Every time you called I would be smiling when I answered the phone because you have always been someone who is filled with love and passion and no matter what we talked about, I knew we would be laughing at the end. I miss you, and I´ll never truly have the words for how thankful I am to have had you as a friend. Thank you for everything. All my love to your family and to everyone who got to know how amazing of a person you were.
Steenz
June 13, 2023
Ian was one of the hardest working creators in the industry. I hope he finally gets the rest that we all knew he deserved. Ian, I'm going to miss hanging out at cons with you.
Zach Clemente
June 13, 2023
Ian, I'm going to miss you greatly. I regret letting us fall out of touch over the past few years but I knew that we would have been able to pick right back up where we had left off. Your presence, love, and kindess will be missed. Rest easy buddy. Love you forever.
Josh Crews
June 12, 2023
Rest easy, bud. Will miss you.
Kelly Fitzpatrick
June 12, 2023
Ian. I had only met Ian a handful of times at shows, but he was always nice and encouraging. Super passionate about the craft and we had some good laughs. It's weird to me to be typing this bc I'm upset that he's gone. He'll live on in pages and by the people he moved. He was so incredibly hardworking and talented. I wish I would have gotten to spend more time with him. All of my love goes out to his family.
Melanie (Florencio) Sexton
June 12, 2023
Ian, you were such a nice person and I'm so glad I got to know you at SCAD in our grad SEQA classes. I'll never forget when you smoked ribs in our apartment after class one evening and they were delicious. You taught us all how to be better artists and inspired so many people. Miss you Ian, rest in power.
Diana (Smith) Clarke
June 12, 2023
Ian, your drawing and cooking skills and humor are, and will be, sorely missed. I'm grateful to have known you and to have called you a friend back in our old SCAD master's program days, and I wish I reached out more in the years that followed but was impressed as I followed you and your career from a distance. You will not be forgotten; you will live on through your art and through all of the lives you've touched. I'm gonna go turn on King of the Hill now and draw in your honor! Sending love to your family and the kitties. Rest peacefully.
Afsoon Shirmohammadi
June 12, 2023
I may not have been close with Ian and I only met him a couple times but the memory I have of him and his amazing talent for drawing will last forever. My only memories I have of him are warm. I am so sorry that anyone would ever have to go through this. Sending love and prayers. I will place his name amongst special prayers at church.
Melanie Ulrich
June 12, 2023
Ian was one of the kindest of souls. He and his brothers played soccer with my boys Nick and Kyle. I always looked forward to seeing him and the Mcginty family. They we´re all such warm, friendly people. He was such a gifted artist. I can remember all of his drawings in his notebooks. They were so intricate and imaginative. It was so clear he was truly gifted. He will be missed. My prayers go out to his loving family. Love, Melanie Ulrich & Nick and Kyle Lindsay
Emi Jack
June 11, 2023
Ian was always a talented and kind hearted presence in the artist community and it was a pleasure to have known him and see all that he could do. Sending all of my love and support to his family during this difficult time. I hope that generations of artists to come will look onto his work for inspiration.
Pam and Gerry
June 11, 2023
Our heart goes out to the McGintys for the loss of the most gentle soul.
Sandra Erbe
June 11, 2023
My nephew Ian was truly remarkable and one of a kind. He was smart, caring, loving, and extremely talented. Ian, I will always miss you until we meet again.
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