Gary McGinnis

Gary K. McGinnis, 75, Kingsport, died at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2007, of a heart attack at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.

Gary was born is Johnson City on February 6, 1932. He moved to Kingsport two years later, remaining there for the rest of his life.

From his childhood, Gary had many stories about his Kingsport?s 1st Soapbox Derby win in 1948 and later taking a trip to Akron, Ohio to race his car.

Being active in many sports, Gary graduated from Dobyns Bennett and East Tennessee College. While in college he played basketball for Madison Brooks and was part of many successful seasons. In 1986 he was inducted into the ETSU Hall of Fame which was a proud honor for recognition of his athletic accomplishments.

After finishing college, Gary entered the Army where he was stationed in Kansas City, MO. He worked in the Army Hometown News Center sending news back to newspapers about soldiers and their activities.

After returning from the Army, he started his work with General Shale Products Corp. which last 42 years. He loved his work as a products and design engineer, and many of his design ideas may be seen in the Tri Cities area.

Upon returning to Kingsport from the Army, he married Beverly Nelson in June 1957. He was a life-long member of 1st Christian Church serving in many jobs for his church. He was a deacon, served on many committees and was assistant treasure. He truly loved to see improvements that would help to glorify God.

His hobbies were to play golf, fix things in his workshop and share his life with friends. He enjoyed working in his yard and to improve the world around him one project at a time. Anyone who was around Gary for any length of time was sure to laugh from his wonderful sense of humor and desire to make those smile around him.

Gary was preceded in death by his father Charles J. McGinnis, mother Jean Saylor and step-father Fred Saylor, Half sister Lynn Parks. Grandparents Joseph and Jose McGinnis, Anna King Arrowwood and Aunt Nelle Morgan.

His is survived by wife Beverly McGinnis, of Kingsport, Sons and Daughters-in-law Jeff and Lesley McGinnis, Dallas, TX, Mike and Julie McGinnis, Seymore, TN, Grandchildren Danielle and Sydney and step-grandchildren Derrick, Tiffany, Victoria Jenkins and step-grandchildren Gabriel and Riley Jenkins. Half- sisters Beverly South worth and Juanita Miller, Toni Evans half-brother Fred Saylor and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at First Christian Church. Funeral services will follow at 8:00 p.m. Friday at the church with ministers Hugh Thompson and Matt Hickman officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at East Lawn Memorial Park.

Please visit www.hamlettdobson.com

Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, c/o Mrs. Wanda Grills, 1217 Radcliffe Ave., Kingsport, TN. 37664, American Heart Foundation, 208 Sunset Dr., Suite 113, Johnson City, TN. 37604, or to the First Christian Church of Kingsport, 106 East Charlemont Ave., Kingsport TN., 37660.