Thomas Howard McGinness (Tom, Mac), 65, of Huntsville died Friday, October 4, 2019 at his home. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. He loved the outdoors and nature and took pride in his home, yard, and gardens, especially in retirement. If you couldn’t find Mac, all you had to do was look outside. There he would be, chewing Red Man, and tenderly planting a hydrangea or other beautiful plant. In the summertime, his porch was covered with pot after pot of glorious blooms. In the winter, he couldn’t wait until spring so he could start planting again. He enjoyed spectacular vistas, and enjoyed many hours playing golf with friends and family.
Mac loved his family and cared very deeply for his wife, children, and grandchildren. He always put the happiness of others ahead of his own. He was a deeply spiritual being with an old soul, and had a strong love and faith in God. He always appreciated the profound and sometimes surprising beauty of people and nature. Always the peacemaker, his kind, generous spirit preceded his entrance into a room, and children and pets almost always gravitated to his side. Completely at ease in social situations, he brought fun and lighthearted conversation into gatherings and celebrations. He had the best laugh. He openly shared his love and wisdom with others, especially those close to him.
He was born in Huntsville and graduated from Lee High School in 1972. He graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Bachelor’s degree in Management. He was a natural born leader and an expert in motivating others, seemingly without effort. He enjoyed a long career in retail management with Goldsmith’s in Tennessee and Belk in North Carolina. While in North Carolina, he developed a love of Duke Basketball and enjoyed watching games with his children. His second career was as an entrepreneur in retail footwear, first in Huntsville, then in Franklin, TN.
Survivors include his wife, Theresa Robinson Schupp McGinness; his son, Cliff McGinness (Haley); his son, Charlie McGinness (Courtnay) of Chattanooga, TN; his daughter, Julie Pierce (Joey); his sisters, Karen Rhodes (Jim) of Guntersville and Joanne McCormack (Tom) of Sparta, TN; and ten grandchildren.
A service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, October 7 at Church of the Nativity Episcopal with the Rev. Michael Goldsmith officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University via www.gifts.duke.edu/dukehealth.
