J. Mcginnis

J. Neal McGinnis 1939-2017
J. Neal McGinnis, 77, passed away on May 23, 2017 in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Services will be held Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 10 am at the First Baptist Church in Roby, Texas, followed by graveside service at the Roby Cemetery. There will be a casual family and friends gathering at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, at the home of Betty Joy Vaught.
J. Neal was born on July 11, 1939 in Sweetwater, Texas to J.N. and Ola McGinnis and was the oldest of three children. He graduated from Roby High School in 1957. He married Judith Elizabeth Cooper and had two children, Melinda Colleen and Michael Neal. They spent several years in California where he worked as an iron worker.
He later moved back to Roby where he farmed. He met and then married Peggy Lee Beecroft, and helped raise 4 step-children. After farming, J. Neal worked and retired from the Texas Department of Corrections Facility in Snyder, Texas. He loved the horse races in the mountains and they visited their home in Ruidoso as often as possible. In 2013, J. Neal and Peggy retired and moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico. He died at home after a battle with cancer.
He was preceded in death by his father, J. N. McGinnis in 1985, his mother Ola Melton McGinnis in 1991, and his brother in law, Larry Vaught in 2016.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Lee Beecroft McGinnis of Ruidoso, New Mexico; two sisters Betty Joy Vaught of Roby, Texas; and Gay Nell Cherry and husband, Gil, of Sweetwater, Texas; daughter, Melinda Roberts and husband, Keith, of Hodges, Texas; son, Michael Neal McGinnis of Austin, Texas; step-children Shannon Thompson and husband, Shelby, of Roby, Texas; Shari Smith and husband, Lane, of Andrews, Texas; Kenny Heflin and wife, Traci, of Snyder, Texas; MSgt Kelly Heflin and wife, Clarissa, of Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; granddaughter, Dr. Camaran Roberts of The Woodlands, Texas; and several step-grandchildren, Shaylee, Bradley, Dillon, Kylie, Kinsey, Kayden, and Brody who lovingly refer to J.Neal as "Grumpy".
J. Neal was an amateur spur maker, and a collector of arrowheads and china tea cups. He was an avid reader and a wonderful storyteller. As a young bareback bronc rider he and friends made the rodeo circuit across Texas. Rooted in the red dirt of Fisher County, he leaves behind many beloved friends and precious memories. He was our hero.

Service