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John Charles McGinty, 80

John Charles McGinty passed away Jan. 4, 2018, at Spokane Hospice House. John was born June 15, 1937, in Holdrege, Neb., to Dorothy and Charles McGinty. He grew up in California, and then Lava Hot Springs and Soda Springs, Idaho, and graduated from Soda Springs High School in 1955. He attended the University of Idaho and then enlisted in the United State Air Force, where he served as a cryptologist during the Vietnam War in Labrador and Germany before being honorably discharged.

After his military service was completed, John worked in the computer field for many years; in Alaska, on Wake Island, and finally in Coeur d’Alene for A.I.D. During that time he also completed his education, earning a B.S. in business administration at California State University at Sacramento in 1972. Post graduation, he took many classes for advanced certification at North Idaho College, and read prolifically in his field.

His real love was Formula One racing, and he read everything he could about components of these highly technical racing machines and how the drivers maneuvered them on the track. When a race was scheduled, John would devote his day to watching it with his close friend, Keith. They would analyze in detail how each driver and car performed. He was a treasure trove of knowledge, when it came to those races and the engineering genius of those Formula Ones! His second love was for books, and he drew on the Coeur d’Alene Library to find the books he was interested in. Finally, he loved having his family around him, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas, when we would laugh and tell stories. He would sit and smile and enjoy the great meals we shared, adding a funny story into the mix.

We remember John as our “gentle giant” with a big heart and more concern for others than for himself. He was generous and kind, and he had a great wit, that came out to friends and family. He worried up to the end about the state of our country today and what it would be like for his grandniece and future generations, who would grow up deeply affected by current changes in the environment and in government.

John is survived by his brother, Robert; his sister, Betty Jane; his sister-in-law, Susan; his nephew, Patrick and husband, Jon; his niece, Kelly and grandniece, Livia; as well as cousins in Colo., Wash., Idaho, Kan., Mo. and Utah, and friends in Coeur d’Alene.

The family will have a private service.