Thomas Elgin McGinnis of Bayou Vista, Louisiana, passed peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on June 9, 2021. Tom was born in Aniston, Alabama, on May 6, 1942, and was raised in the city and suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After a brief time in the Army, Tom became a commercial diver, the career that brought him to south Louisiana in 1970. From commercial diving, Tom moved on to start T-Mc Concrete, which he owned and operated for the next 30 plus years.
Though he was raised in Wisconsin, Tom embraced his new home in Louisiana with the same gusto he embraced all of life. He was an active member of the Moose Lodge, a Dixie Youth League baseball coach, a member of the Krewe of Dionysus, and a very active Rotarian—spending many years engaged in each of these civic activities.
Tom fiercely loved his family and friends and enjoyed travelling with them whenever he had the chance. He was proud of his Irish heritage, and once was lucky enough to travel there with his wife, Kathy, and dear friends. Tom also loved sports and was an avid Saints fan…unless they were playing the Green Bay Packers, to whom he remained forever loyal.
Aside from his many civic activities and integrity as a local businessman, Tom was most known for his contagious sense of humor and zest for life. Everyone who knew him was affected by these qualities, and there are many, many stories to prove it!
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Kathleen McGinnis; by his daughter, Jamie Huffman; by his son Thomas E. McGinnis II (aka, Tommy 2) and wife, Connie Herndon; and by his two adored granddaughters, Maya and Maria McGinnis. Tom also leaves behind his four siblings: John McGinnis and wife, Judy; Molly Cherone and husband, Pat; Margie Stauft and husband, Charlie, and Annie Wetzel, as well as sister-in-law Ethyl Carr and husband, Gene, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Mac and Mary McGinnis; parents-in-law Edward and Anna Scholler; brother-in-law Warren Wetzel, sister-in-law Geraldine Mutz, sister- and brother-in-law Mary Ann and Danny Nowak, brother-in-law Edward Scholler, and son-in-law Pete Huffman.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and St. Mary Outreach , 608 1st. Street Morgan City, La 70380, in memory of Mr. Thomas.
Visitation will begin June 13, 2021 at 1 pm - 5 pm. A Rosary will begin at 3:30 pm until time of service at 4 pm at Hargrave Funeral Home. Thomas will be laid to rest at a later date.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18