Garen Dale McGinnis

Garen Dale McGinnis, age 81 of Nixa, passed away March 25, 2024. He was born June 29, 1942 in Selmore, Missouri, the son of Earl and Estel (Pollard) McGinnis.

On April 20, 1963, Garen was united in marriage to Saundra Jean Barber.

Garen was a building contractor and worked in construction. He had been a volunteer firefighter for Nixa Fire Protection District for 17 years. Garen was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church. He had also attended Calvary Bible Church in Nixa. As a young boy he attended Selmore Baptist Church, where he was saved at an early age. Most recently Garen had attended Cowboy Church in Highlandville. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and tinkering around fixing things. His nickname was “MacGyver.” Garen was know for being patient and kind. He was a good husband and helped everybody. He had the patience of Job.

Survivors include: his wife, Saundra McGinnis of Nixa; his son, Troy McGinnis of Nixa; his grandson, Joseph Garen Barton of Nixa and son in law, Dwayne Barton, his sister, Earlaine Worel and husband John of Aurora, Colorado; his nieces and nephew, Shana and husband Jason, Travis, and Amber and husband Geoff; and his brother-in-law, Jim Gall of Pierce City.

Garen was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Tracey Barton; and a sister, Carol Gall.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, with Hosea Bilyeu officiating. Burial will follow at Selmore Cemetery, Ozark. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. immediately before the funeral in the funeral home.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made University of Arkansas Medical Center, Multiple Myeloma Research Little Rock, AR, www.uams.edu.