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Donald Francis McGinley

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Donald Francis McGinley

Birth
Keystone, Keith County, Nebraska, USA
Death
6 Jul 2005 (aged 85)
Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA
Burial
Ogallala, Keith County, Nebraska, USA GPS-Latitude: 41.1278139, Longitude: -101.7472
Plot
Section O, Block 133, Lot 12
Memorial ID
View Source
Son of George Patrick & Margaret Ellen Thalken McGinley, first married Evaleen Mary Mueller on 27 Dec 1947 and 2nd married Nancy Halligan on 17 May 1977. Donald after graduating from the University of Notre Dame enlisted in the Army the 10th of March 1943. He served in the US Army Air Force as a cryptographer, B-24 heavy bomber, 8th Air Force. He graduated in 1949 with a law degree from Georgetown University, returning to Ogallala to practice law with the McGinley-Lane Law Firm. From 1955-1959 and 1963-1965 he was a state Senator and from 1959-1960 he was the U.S. House Representative for the 4th District. From 1983-1987 was the Lt. Governor under Robert Kerry. He campaigned for both John F and Bobby Kennedy. He spent the majority of his life in public service. Governor Heineman ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in his honor.

NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
July 6, 2005

LINCOLN - McGINLEY, Don, 85, formerly of Ogallala, died July 6, 2005, in Lincoln.
Donald Francis McGinley was born June 30, 1920, at the Home Ranch in Keystone to George and Maggie Thalken McGinley. Married to Nancy Halligan McGinley of Lincoln. He was the father of two children and step-father to six children. Preceding him in death was his first wife Evaleen and an infant son Mark. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Luke's Catholic Church.
Cremation was chosen. Inurnment service in the Ogallala Cemetery.
JOURNAL STAR July 6, 2005
Don McGinley, a Nebraska political leader whose engaging wit earned him friends across the state, died early Wednesday morning in Lincoln from congestive heart failure.

McGinley, 85, served as Nebraska's lieutenant governor during the term of Gov. Bob Kerrey. "He was a smart, solid man with a wicked sense of humor who loved the west," said Kerrey. A native of the Ogallala area, he was also Arthur County Attorney, a Congressman and a state senator.

Born June 30, 1920, the son of a rancher, McGinley served beyond his higher elected offices. He was a community college trustee, an industrial relations judge, the state's Selective Service director and a Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust member.
His friends knew him as a wonderful storyteller with plenty of Irish wit. "He was a fantastic human being, wonderfully compassionate, extremely intelligent. He has been a true servant of the state, for our district as well as statewide," said Beverly Pollack of Ogallala, a lifelong friend. And she remembers his sense of humor. McGinley ran as lieutenant governor on the ticket with Democrat Helen Boosalis in 1986. When Boosalis lost the governor's race, she asked McGinley, �What are you going to run for now?'" His one-word reply: "Cover" "That was vintage Don," Pollack said. McGinley also had the gift of mimicry, He could do former Gov. Frank Morrison better than Frank Morrison himself, said John "Dugie" Doyle, a Lincoln attorney who first knew McGinley as a sharp, young attorney in Ogallala who also played a mean piano. He was also a talented musician, who sometimes played rag time and honky tonk in the Old West saloons and dance halls in Ogallala, Doyle remembers. And McGinley was an unusual breed, a Democrat from western Nebraska where Republicans are the major crop.

McGinley won the western Nebraska U.S. House seat in 1958, upsetting veteran Republican congressman A.L. "Doc" Miller of Kimball. Republicans took back the seat two years later and no Nebraska Democrat has gone to the House from the western part of the state since. McGinley served three two-year terms in the Nebraska Unicameral, 1955-59 and 1963-65, where he was known for his hard work. "He had all his information lined up. He could change the outcome of a bill by giving all the facts on it," said Norm Otto, who served with McGinley in the 1950s. "He was the most upbeat political figure I have ever been associated with," said W. Don Nelson, who has worked for Democrats Bob Kerrey and Ben Nelson. "He always had a smile, always had an anecdote or two to pass along, and was always looking for the positive in anything he worked on." McGinley earned a bachelor's degree from Notre Dame University in 1942 and a law degree from Georgetown University Law School in 1949. He served in the Army for three years.

McGinley's first wife Evaleen died in 1974 and he later married Nancy Childs, who survives him.
Burial services are scheduled for Monday in Ogallala. The family will hold a memorial service in Lincoln later in the month.
DON MCGINLEY
1920-2005
POLITICIAN
Born Donald Francis McGinley, on June 20th 1920, Don McGinley was one of the best known politicians of his day. He came from humble beginnings being the son of a rancher. He earned a Batchelors Degree from Notre Dame University in 1942 and a Law Degree from Georgetown University Law School in 1949. He lived a full and active life. He was a reporter and copywriter for the Denvir Register 1945/46, Lawyer (private practice) from 1950, an Arthur City Attorney 1951-55, a Member of Nebraska State Legislator 1955-59, elected Democratic Politician 1959-61, Judge for the Courts of Industrial Relations, Lincoln, Nebraska 1976-80 and Lieutenant Governor of the State of Nebraska 1983-87. Among his pioneer legislative work was his support for the formation of a public employee pension system. He also served three terms (of two years) in the Nebraska Unicameral (1955-57, 1957-59, and 1963-65) and spent three years in the army. He was also a dedicated member of the Order of Columbus, a fraternal organisation of Catholic men.
When he served as Nebraska Lieutenant Governor during the term of Governor Bob Kerrey, Bob said of him, "He was a smart, solid man with a wicked sense of humour who loved the west". Don was a man proud of his Irish heritage. He was a wonderful storyteller with plenty of Irish wit. Don was a talented musician who often played rag-time and honky-tonk music in the old taverns and dance halls in his younger days. Senator Ben Nelson remarked of him..."He was a great Nebraskan and a great American who served in Congress, the Nebraska Unicumeral, as Lt. Governor, and as head of the Selective Service. He was someone I could count on and I enjoyed his wonderful sense of Humour". Governor of Nebraska Dave Heineman ordered that all US and Nebraska flags be flown at half mast on Monday July 11th 2005 in honour of Don McGinley. Governor Heineman said..."Don McGinley never lost sight of his roots or of the people who elected him to serve". His funeral was on the same day at St Luke's Catholic Church, Ogallala, Nebraska.
Don McGinley retold an interesting encounter he had with President Kennedy. It happened during President Kennedys campaign trip to the state of Nebraska. The two politicians were on a plane together when Kennedy asked Don to tell him about a major Farm Bill that was before Congress. He was pretty sure that some questions about it would come up in Nebraska. Don McGinley filled him in about the Farm Bill but was convinced that Kennedy was not even listening. According to Don...."He was looking around, playing with his tie, and just did not seem to be interested". Later, when Kennedy stood up to give a speech at a convention, full of waiting media, all the details of the Farm Bill that Don McGinley had briefed him on came out of Kennedys mouth, proving that he was an astute listener.
http://mcginleyclan.or g/famousmcginleys.htm
Son of George Patrick & Margaret Ellen Thalken McGinley, first married Evaleen Mary Mueller on 27 Dec 1947 and 2nd married Nancy Halligan on 17 May 1977. Donald after graduating from the University of Notre Dame enlisted in the Army the 10th of March 1943. He served in the US Army Air Force as a cryptographer, B-24 heavy bomber, 8th Air Force. He graduated in 1949 with a law degree from Georgetown University, returning to Ogallala to practice law with the McGinley-Lane Law Firm. From 1955-1959 and 1963-1965 he was a state Senator and from 1959-1960 he was the U.S. House Representative for the 4th District. From 1983-1987 was the Lt. Governor under Robert Kerry. He campaigned for both John F and Bobby Kennedy. He spent the majority of his life in public service. Governor Heineman ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in his honor.

NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
July 6, 2005

LINCOLN - McGINLEY, Don, 85, formerly of Ogallala, died July 6, 2005, in Lincoln.
Donald Francis McGinley was born June 30, 1920, at the Home Ranch in Keystone to George and Maggie Thalken McGinley. Married to Nancy Halligan McGinley of Lincoln. He was the father of two children and step-father to six children. Preceding him in death was his first wife Evaleen and an infant son Mark. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Luke's Catholic Church.
Cremation was chosen. Inurnment service in the Ogallala Cemetery.
JOURNAL STAR July 6, 2005
Don McGinley, a Nebraska political leader whose engaging wit earned him friends across the state, died early Wednesday morning in Lincoln from congestive heart failure.

McGinley, 85, served as Nebraska's lieutenant governor during the term of Gov. Bob Kerrey. "He was a smart, solid man with a wicked sense of humor who loved the west," said Kerrey. A native of the Ogallala area, he was also Arthur County Attorney, a Congressman and a state senator.

Born June 30, 1920, the son of a rancher, McGinley served beyond his higher elected offices. He was a community college trustee, an industrial relations judge, the state's Selective Service director and a Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust member.
His friends knew him as a wonderful storyteller with plenty of Irish wit. "He was a fantastic human being, wonderfully compassionate, extremely intelligent. He has been a true servant of the state, for our district as well as statewide," said Beverly Pollack of Ogallala, a lifelong friend. And she remembers his sense of humor. McGinley ran as lieutenant governor on the ticket with Democrat Helen Boosalis in 1986. When Boosalis lost the governor's race, she asked McGinley, �What are you going to run for now?'" His one-word reply: "Cover" "That was vintage Don," Pollack said. McGinley also had the gift of mimicry, He could do former Gov. Frank Morrison better than Frank Morrison himself, said John "Dugie" Doyle, a Lincoln attorney who first knew McGinley as a sharp, young attorney in Ogallala who also played a mean piano. He was also a talented musician, who sometimes played rag time and honky tonk in the Old West saloons and dance halls in Ogallala, Doyle remembers. And McGinley was an unusual breed, a Democrat from western Nebraska where Republicans are the major crop.

McGinley won the western Nebraska U.S. House seat in 1958, upsetting veteran Republican congressman A.L. "Doc" Miller of Kimball. Republicans took back the seat two years later and no Nebraska Democrat has gone to the House from the western part of the state since. McGinley served three two-year terms in the Nebraska Unicameral, 1955-59 and 1963-65, where he was known for his hard work. "He had all his information lined up. He could change the outcome of a bill by giving all the facts on it," said Norm Otto, who served with McGinley in the 1950s. "He was the most upbeat political figure I have ever been associated with," said W. Don Nelson, who has worked for Democrats Bob Kerrey and Ben Nelson. "He always had a smile, always had an anecdote or two to pass along, and was always looking for the positive in anything he worked on." McGinley earned a bachelor's degree from Notre Dame University in 1942 and a law degree from Georgetown University Law School in 1949. He served in the Army for three years.

McGinley's first wife Evaleen died in 1974 and he later married Nancy Childs, who survives him.
Burial services are scheduled for Monday in Ogallala. The family will hold a memorial service in Lincoln later in the month.
DON MCGINLEY
1920-2005
POLITICIAN
Born Donald Francis McGinley, on June 20th 1920, Don McGinley was one of the best known politicians of his day. He came from humble beginnings being the son of a rancher. He earned a Batchelors Degree from Notre Dame University in 1942 and a Law Degree from Georgetown University Law School in 1949. He lived a full and active life. He was a reporter and copywriter for the Denvir Register 1945/46, Lawyer (private practice) from 1950, an Arthur City Attorney 1951-55, a Member of Nebraska State Legislator 1955-59, elected Democratic Politician 1959-61, Judge for the Courts of Industrial Relations, Lincoln, Nebraska 1976-80 and Lieutenant Governor of the State of Nebraska 1983-87. Among his pioneer legislative work was his support for the formation of a public employee pension system. He also served three terms (of two years) in the Nebraska Unicameral (1955-57, 1957-59, and 1963-65) and spent three years in the army. He was also a dedicated member of the Order of Columbus, a fraternal organisation of Catholic men.
When he served as Nebraska Lieutenant Governor during the term of Governor Bob Kerrey, Bob said of him, "He was a smart, solid man with a wicked sense of humour who loved the west". Don was a man proud of his Irish heritage. He was a wonderful storyteller with plenty of Irish wit. Don was a talented musician who often played rag-time and honky-tonk music in the old taverns and dance halls in his younger days. Senator Ben Nelson remarked of him..."He was a great Nebraskan and a great American who served in Congress, the Nebraska Unicumeral, as Lt. Governor, and as head of the Selective Service. He was someone I could count on and I enjoyed his wonderful sense of Humour". Governor of Nebraska Dave Heineman ordered that all US and Nebraska flags be flown at half mast on Monday July 11th 2005 in honour of Don McGinley. Governor Heineman said..."Don McGinley never lost sight of his roots or of the people who elected him to serve". His funeral was on the same day at St Luke's Catholic Church, Ogallala, Nebraska.
Don McGinley retold an interesting encounter he had with President Kennedy. It happened during President Kennedys campaign trip to the state of Nebraska. The two politicians were on a plane together when Kennedy asked Don to tell him about a major Farm Bill that was before Congress. He was pretty sure that some questions about it would come up in Nebraska. Don McGinley filled him in about the Farm Bill but was convinced that Kennedy was not even listening. According to Don...."He was looking around, playing with his tie, and just did not seem to be interested". Later, when Kennedy stood up to give a speech at a convention, full of waiting media, all the details of the Farm Bill that Don McGinley had briefed him on came out of Kennedys mouth, proving that he was an astute listener.
http://mcginleyclan.or g/famousmcginleys.htm


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