Joseph H. McGinnis, 77, passed away August 3, 2011. He was born in Big Spring, TX, and graduated in 1951 from Plainview High School (TX). He joined the U.S. Air Force one week later and served 18 months in Tripoli, Libya, and was honorably discharged in 1955. When asked about his military service, he recently stated that, “I might have re-enlisted but, after they sent me to Tripoli, I was afraid they’d send me to Alaska or God knows where.” He graduated from New Mexico Highlands University in 1958 and began his teaching career: two years at Springer High School, six years at Montezuma Cortez High School and 23 years at Taos High School before retiring in 1989. Thirty-nine of his speech and debate students were first place state champions. He was inducted into the New Mexico Activities Association’s Hall of Fame in 1990. His voice was the first heard over radio station KKIT in Taos, NM, and he was the play-by-play announcer for Taos Tiger football and basketball during the 1960s. He served four years on the Taos Municipal Board of Education in the early 1990s. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and served as president and secretary for many years. He recently became a Catholic. He was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Merle McGinnis, and brothers Ronnie McGinnis and Rudy Haile. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Stella Mares McGinnis. He was previously married to Michelle Santistevan of Taos, NM, the mother of his children who survive him: son Patrick McGinnis (Carlie) of Taos, NM; son Michael McGinnis of San Diego, CA; daughter Jodi McGinnis Porter (Harry) and grandsons Taos and Christian Porter of Santa Fe, NM. He is also survived by sister-in-law Jan Haile and his nephew John Haile of Fort Worth, TX, his godparents Carpio and Becky Torres of Taos, NM, his brother-in-law Ruben Mares (Bernadette) of Corrales, NM and their children, niece Francina Romero (Chris) and nephew Felipe Mares (Claire) and many other nieces and nephews in Taos, NM, Colorado and California.

He loved golf, fishing, tennis, reading the newspaper and keeping up on current events. His grandchildren called him “Papa” and he will be deeply missed.

A rosary will be recited at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 205 Don Fernando Street, Taos, NM 87571 on Monday, August 8, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 205 Don Fernando Street, Taos, NM 87571. Interment will follow later that day at 3:00 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Taos High School Speech and Debate team in care of Coach Cat Bennett.