James D. McGinness, age 78, died at St. Mary's Medical Center on March 29, 2009, from complications of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Jim grew up in Evansville, a 1948 graduate of Bosse High School and the University of Evansville. He worked for 25 years as a chemist for the Sherwin-Williams Company in Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit. He then returned to Evansville to work 22 years for the Red Spot Paint and Varnish Company where he founded and managed three different research departments. During his career he gave many technical talks and published several papers on spectroscopy and coatings. He was an emeritus member of the American Chemical Society and the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology and among several others over the years.

Jim was active in the St. Philip Catholic Church Stewardship Committee, enjoyed working on Habitat homes and on his own building, gardening and landscape projects. In his lifetime he has planted hundreds of trees for others to enjoy. In earlier years he was active in Scouts serving as committee chairman and assistant scoutmaster.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Mary McGinness; five children, Jim McGinness and wife, Gail Coad, of Amherst, N.H., John McGinness of University Park, Ill., Carol Flin and her husband, Mark, of Mesa, Ariz., Michael McGinness of Boonville, Ind., and Katie St. John and her husband, Bryan, of Columbus, Ohio. Also surviving are three stepchildren and their spouses, Shannon and Bill Helfrich of Mount Vernon, Ind., Dan and Michele Donovan and Erin and Brian Helfrich, all of Evansville; seventeen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services for Jim will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2009, at 10 a.m. at St. Philip Catholic Church, Rev. Tom Kessler officiating. Burial will follow in St. Philip Church Cemetery.

Friends may visit with the family from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street, where there will be a memorial service conducted by the church at 4:30 p.m. Thursday friends may also visit from 9:30 a.m. to service time at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Philip Catholic Church or Habitat for Humanity.

March 31, 2009
Jim once sent me a letter thanking me for my service in the military. I am sure he had no idea how deeply moved I was by his consideration. I will be here if you all need anything. Michael Layman, Newburgh, Indiana

March 31, 2009
My Dear Mary and Family, What a precious, precious man. Jim was among the best and will be greatly missed. He was always there for me, you both were and I truly appreciate that. I know there is a great void in your hearts -- there is in all of us. May you find solace in knowing that he is resting in the arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ. God Bless each of You. Love, Julie (Grannan) Thurman, Evansville, Indiana

March 31, 2009
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Ken & Mary Ellen Baker, Brooksville, Florida

April 01, 2009
Mary, Jim was such a wonderful person and will be greatly missed. We will never forget your weekends at the lake with you and Captain Jim. They are special memories for John and I. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, John and Beth Phillips

April 01, 2009
What a great guy. He will be missed very much. You are all in our prayers. With deepest love & sympathy. Hugs, Aunt Marian & Cousin Becky Helmbock, St. Petersburg, Florida