A Life Story

John Francis McGinty passed away on December 1, 2024, with his wife by his side in their home in Savannah, Georgia. He was 94 years old and a devoted husband, father and friend.John was born on November 19, 1930 to parents Ottie O. and Gladys S. McGinty in Frisco City, Alabama and was the third born of their three children.After a year at THE University of Alabama, John transferred to Troy State College and graduated with a degree in education in 1952. After college he answered the call to serve in the US Army and was stationed at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina.A notable fact about young John is that he could type fast, with few errors, and was an excellent communicator; a fact that didn't escape the notice of his Staff Sergeant. When his unit received orders to deploy to Korea, John was told he would, instead, stay behind and manage office communication and administration. Ultimately it saved his life as his unit was destroyed by enemy fire and no one survived.After his service in the army, he moved to Savannah and accepted a teaching position at Groves High School where he met a young physical education teacher named Barbara. She challenged him to a tennis match and they married a year later. A love match that lasted 66 years.Over the course of John's career, he taught and coached in several schools in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System: Groves, Richard Arnold, Chatham and Wilder Junior High. Additionally, he is fondly remembered as "Coach" by the "men of ol' BC" and by the students, faculty and staff at Savannah Christian Preparatory School where he served as headmaster until he retired.Although teaching and coaching put food on the table, his true passion and joy was his relationship with the Lord. He was a lifelong member of Bull Street Baptist Church where he worshipped and taught Sunday School for decades. He enjoyed Promise Keepers and CBMC (Christian Business Men's Connection) and a decades-long affiliation with Kiwanis Club of Savannah where he served as president for many terms.In addition to his love for the Lord, John McGinty loved his wife and family. And in his family, he was known best for his kindness, patience and quick wit with his five children. He enthusiastically supported their various activities. In parenting, John was known as "grace" and Bart was known as "law." His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will always remember his gentleness, ready smile and wonderful storytelling.John was preceded in death by his son John Gary McGinty. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter Ann McGinty Riddell (Dan); son, Greg McGinty (Leslie); daughter, Jan McGinty Boyett (Kelvin) and daughter Lyn "Pooh" McGinty Fletcher (Keith). They have 19 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.The McGinty family is grateful to Hospice Savannah nurses and staff for their diligence and attention to detail as they cared for him.A memorial service will be held at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel on Saturday, December 7, at 11:00 am.