Arthur Vincent McGinnis, II was born November 11, 1953 in Red Oak, Iowa to Arthur and Violette (Anderson) McGinnis. What a joyful event for Art and Vi to have a son after three daughters! His three sisters were so excited to have a brother! He passed away on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Westridge Care & Rehab in Clarinda, Iowa following a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 59.
Art went to elementary school and middle school in Red Oak until the family moved to Shenandoah in 1968. He graduated from Shenandoah High School with the Class of 1971 and from Minneapolis Medical Technology School in 1973.
He was employed at Shenandoah Medical Clinic for several years. Then he worked with his father at Genuine Parts Co, eventually becoming the owner. Most recently he was employed as the manager of O'Reilly's Auto Parts in Red Oak, Iowa.
There was no greater love than the Love he felt for his two children, Katharine and Connor. He was so proud of them!
Art was lovingly known as "Uncle Doc" by his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. This nickname was given to him by niece Lisa Villwok and nephew Aaron Herzberg when they saw him in a white lab jacket during his medical technology days.
Baseball and football were just two of his favorite sports. He played on these Shenandoah teams during his high school years. He also enjoyed skiing, golfing and traveling, especially vacations to Ixtapa, Mexico. Art loved Shenandoah and volunteered throughout the years at various community events. One claim to fame was his 2nd place win at the 1993 Chili Bowl. Art recently had taken up biking on the Wabash Trace and assisted in fundraisers supporting the Trace.
His love of music was shown through his guitar skills. He played and sang with friends as well as with various groups and events throughout his lifetime.
Preceding Art in death were his father and mother, Arthur and Violette. Survivors include Jeri Naven of Shenandoah; two children, Katharine McGinnis of London, England and Connor McGinnis of Indianola, IA; three sisters, Mary (Johnson) and her husband Ed of Bennington NE; Maureen (Herzberg) and her husband Lowell of Eden Prairie, MN; Joani McGinnis of Shenandoah; aunt, Marcella Ryan of Shenandoah; three nieces, Lisa Villwok, her husband John and their son Ryker of Blair NE; Jennifer DeGroff, her husband Ryan, their children Lane, Bailey, Allie of Fremont NE; Sarah Shaw, her husband Kenny and their son Liam of McGehee AR; nephews: Aaron Herzberg, his wife Stacey and their children Gracey, AJ, Georgey, Macgyver of Plymouth MN; Joseph Herzberg, his wife Cara and their children Ruby, Ollie, Finn of Kebemer, Senegal West Africa; many cousins; other relatives and many friends.