McGinnis, Terry Michael

Terry McGinnis of St. Louis, Missouri passed away on February 13, 2026, at the age of 90. His beloved family and friends affectionately surrounded him in his final days. He was born on November 4, 1935, to Hugh and Nellie McGinnis nee Halbert. He was the 6^th born of 7 siblings.

The family moved to Steeleville, Missouri where Terry attended Steeleville public schools. Indeed, he came from humble beginnings as evidenced by a lack of a refrigerator and running water. His family had a spring house behind the home. His mother tasked him during cold winter months with lighting the wood stove on his return from school.

Terry’s pets were his cherished friends. He spoke with so much fondness of his dogs Jeff, Butchey and Nancy. He spent time in both childhood as-well-as his retired years raising a variety of game chickens and silkies.

Terry eventually moved back to St. Louis where he began a career in dental supply and equipment sales at Thau Nolde. It was there that he met a lovely young woman named Mary Grace Barry, also an employee, who he married. They quickly started a family and after a couple of moves, settled in Florissant, Missouri.

Terry and Mary were very involved in parish life at their church, St. Thomas the Apostle. They joined various prayer/bible study groups, retreats and service activities in order to set an example to the family to put God first. He later attended St. Rose Philippine Duchesne where he was very involved as well. When he retired they moved to south county and joined St. Justin Martyr Parish. They made new church friends and enjoyed many dinners together. He and his wife went to daily mass and met an additional group of friends at the local Panera where they ate afterwards. They built a great new social circle in this community!

Terry was an avid gardener and tropical fish aficionado. He designed and cultivated a beautiful garden of plants, flowers and vegetables for which he appeared in the local newspaper as Gardener of the Month.

In the past 6 months he and his wife moved to the St. Louis Hills Assisted Living facility. They became fast friends with yet another group of wonderful friends. Terry deeply loved his wife, family and friends, but his grandchildren held a very special place in his heart.

Terry is preceded in death by both his parents and all 6 siblings including Geraldine Buckner nee McGinnis (Edd), Denver McGinnis, Hugh McGinnis, Albert McGinnis (Vernell), Ruth Klobe nee McGinnis (Lee), and Mary Pappalardo nee McGinnis (Carlos). Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary McGinnis nee Barry, son John McGinnis (Wanda), daughter Susan Farel nee McGinnis, Daughter Ruth Farel nee McGinnis (Michael), Thomas McGinnis, Stephen McGinnis (Catherine).

Services: Visitation at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church (11910 Eddie and Park Rd, St Louis, MO 63126) Friday February 20th 9:00 AM until funeral mass at 10:00 AM. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at church following the burial.