Richard Riley McGinnis' Obituary
Richard Riley McGinnis, age 68, passed away in peace at his home in Covington, Louisiana. Rick was the beloved husband of Emily Williams McGinnis to whom he was married thirty five wonderful years. He was the proud father of Richard McGinnis, II, Andrea White (Cory), and Tara Lu (David). He was the adoring grandfather (Papa) of Lauren Zimmermann, Brendan Zimmermann and Abigail Lu. He lost his father, Richard Riley at an early age and was raised by loving parents, Leon and Peggy Oxford McGinnis. He is also survived by his three brothers, Leon McGinnis, Jr. (Marcia), George McGinnis (Peggy) and James McGinnis (Kay); and extended family and friends.
Rick was born in Springfield, Illinois and raised in Springville, Alabama. He graduated in 1968 as the Outstanding Civil Engineer at Auburn University where he was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi, Chi Epsilon and the Tau Beta Pi honor societies.
Throughout college, Rick worked for Southern Natural Gas Company in Opelika. He first worked in Birmingham as a Junior Draftsman. Following his promotion to Project Manager in the Engineering department, he met and married the love of his life, Emily. After a transfer to Louisiana in 1976, Rick became the Assistant Division Manager in the Franklinton office. There, he enjoyed mentoring and training new engineers. After thirty years with Southern Natural Gas, he retired as the Southeastern Division Manager and began working in Real Estate.
As an active member of the Northlake Mandeville Rotary Club for 32 years, he held many offices including President, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. A faithful member of St. Timothy Methodist Church, Rick enjoyed Sunday School and worship services. Rick also volunteered as a math tutor for Madisonville Elementary School for many years. An avid sportsman, Rick loved to boat, fish and hunt. Rick inspired a passion for outdoor sporting in many of his younger family members.
Rick will be lovingly remembered for his devotion to family and friends, his wit and sense of humor, a love of travel and adventure and spiritual leadership.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend Memorial Services to be held at St. Timothy United Methodist Church, 335 Asbury Drive, Mandeville, LA 70448 Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Gathering AT THE CHURCH will begin at 10:00 AM until service time. After the service, lunch will be provided at the church. Private interment of Rick’s cremains will follow in the Church Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Memory of Richard McGinnis to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, the American Heart Association at www.heart.org or Hospice of St. Tammany, 1202 Tyler Street, Covington, LA.
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