Leland R. McGinnis
Obituaries
Daily Sentinel page 5A - March 24, 2021
Leland McGinnis was born
December 10, 1927, in Cedar,
Kansas, the last of ten children
born to Oliver P. McGinnis and
Myrtie Magee McGinnis. He is
predeceased by both parents and
all siblings.
He grew up in Kansas,
Arkansas, and the San Luis
Valley in Colorado. He graduated high school in Decatur, Arkansas.
Shortly after WWII he moved with his mother and brother to Grand
Junction. It was there that he met his wife, Marian Godby.
He married in 1950 shortly before he was drafted into the Army.
After two years in the Army, he moved to Luning, Nevada and
drove an ore truck. His second child, Sharon, was born in Nevada,
and subsequently he decided to return to Colorado. He wanted to
make sure his children grew up knowing what a tree looked like.
After their return to Grand Junction, their third child, Cindy, was
born in 1958. In Grand Junction he was employed by Rio Grande
Motorway. He delivered freight until his 55th birthday. After that
he became the custodian at his church and school.
His wife, Marian, preceded him in death in 1987. He was a
member of Pear Park Baptist Church since 1957. He was a faithful
follower of his savior Jesus Christ.
He passed away suddenly shortly after relocating to Wheat Ridge,
Colorado, on March 17. He is survived by children, Mike (Kim)
McGinnis, Sharon (Ron) Bush, and Cindy (Chris) Kassales. Other
survivors include grandchildren, Thomas (Becky) Bush, Jordan
McGinnis, Rebecca (Joe) Bauwens, Cody (Carmen) McGinnis,
Nick Kassales, Samantha Kassales and Aubrey (Douglas) Peterson;
eight great-grandchildren, as well as three adoptive grandchildren,
Tammy Caldwell, Heather Jones and Cory Reynolds.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 26, at 12:00
p.m., at Martin Mortuary, with a committal service to follow at
Memorial Gardens.
