Rev. Stephen J. McGinnis, 72, went Home to the Lord on Nov 2, 2012. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and friends. Commander McGinnis retired after proudly serving four years in the US Coast Guard and 25 years in the US Navy. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Military Order of World Wars, Tin-Can Sailors (Destroyers) and the American Legion. He then entered Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, where he answered the call to be a Lutheran Pastor and was ordained in 1996. He served in the Florida and Virginia Synods of the ELCA and was the former Pastor of Holy Communion Church, Portsmouth. Named Rotarian of the Year, he was active in Rotary International. He was continuously pointing out the good in others and will be missed by many.
He is survived by the "Light of His Life," Karen “Kaye” and his nine children, Jenny (Wil), Stephanie (Scott), Joy (Dan), Dan (Sabine), Lynnett (Charlie), Michelle (Heath), Belen (Brandon), Kacy and Sarah. He was "G-Dad" to 12 grandchildren, Michael, Hannah, Max, Maggie, Laura, Charlie, Joshua, Rachel, Abigail, Matthew, Truman and Erin (David) and a great grandchild, Lincoln. He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Marcy.
The family would like to thank the staff at Portsmouth Naval Hospital ICU for their compassion and for being "Champion Caregivers.”

A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, November 6, at 12 Noon at First Lutheran Church of Norfolk. He will be laid to rest in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk at 3 p.m. with full military honors. The family will receive friends at Graham Funeral Home, Chesapeake on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rotary Foundation, First Lutheran Church of Norfolk or Holy Communion Lutheran Church, Portsmouth. Please visit his Book of Memories at www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a note to the family.