John McGinley

John A. McGinley passed away in Oklahoma City on July 22, 2011 at the age of 91. He was born on November 27, 1919 in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania where he graduated from Harbrack High School in 1937 and then moved to Brownsville, Texas with his family. After working for a geophysical crew for 6 months that helped to spark an interest in the Science of Petroleum, he enrolled at the University of Texas to pursue a career as a geologist in the fall of 1939. On Jan 12, 1942 he enlisted in the Air Force and was shipped overseas aboard the Sao Paula Troop Ship to the China Burma India Theatre. He spent nearly 33 months in the Burma/ India theatre serving as an Airplane Maintenance Staff Sergeant. After being discharged in Oct 1945, he returned to the University of Texas to resume his studies. While attending a Duke Ellington Dance at the University, he met a beautiful blond woman by the name of Gloria Trant that became his wife and soul mate on May 27, 1946. Upon completion of his B.S. in Geology, May of 1947, he and Gloria moved to Oklahoma City where he began his employment with the Skelly Oil Company. In 1957, he was offered a job with the Kerr McGee Petroleum Company where he ended up traveling extensively to Argentina, Venezuela, Bolivia, Egypt, Spain, Europe and Iraq in search of oil and gas. He was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and helped coach many little league baseball games. During his marriage to Gloria, he was an active member of the Mayfair Presbyterian Church where they worshiped and volunteered their time delivering mobile meals. In the years proceeding Gloria’s passing, he looked forward to weekly luncheons with close geologist friends. John was not only a man of wisdom and integrity, but also demonstrated great compassion and love for his family and friends. Proceeded in death are his wife Gloria McGinley, Mother Nora Clendennan McGinley, Father Edward John McGinley, and Sister Jane Ann Patrick. He leaves behind 3 children, Mark McGinley of Houston, Texas, Daniel McGinley of San Marino, California, and Dianne Mortimer of Mustang, Oklahoma, Brother in law Gary Trant, Daughters-in-Law, Cynthia McGinley and Joy McGinley, Son-in-Law, Marty Mortimer, 8 Grandchildren, Josh McGinley, Kate McGinley, Matthew Mortimer, Chevy McGinley, Kristen Mortimer, Sean McGinley, Benjamin Mitchell and Aliza Mitchell, nephews Robert Scott Patrick and Michael Patrick, and a Great- Grandchild Xavier McGinley.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday in the chapel of Guardian West Funeral Home with burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements under the direction of Guardian Funeral Homes West Chapel, Oklahoma City, OK.