Joseph McGinnis

Joseph James McGinnis Sr. was born on December 7, 1974 in Hayward and passed away September 10, 2019, at his home in Loleta. He was 45 years old.

Joe was a member of the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria. He was a loving, caring, gentle father of five amazingly beautiful children whom were the center of his world. Joe was married to Nicole Nixon, the love of his life for 23 years. They met at a basketball tournament when he was 17 and she was 16 years old. Joe worked in many different jobs, a jack of all trades, for the Hoopa Tribe and Bear River Rancheria. His love for Native youth was renowned for being a breat coach to many youth sports, basketball and baseball. He was so proud to coach with his dad in Woodland and have his Hoopa boys 8th grade team. 

Joe’s smile and contagious laugh could make you smile. His loving caring eyes made old and young feel safe. He was the strongest warrior to grace this land with a voice to melt any heart. He was not impressed by money, he would give himself in everything he did wholeheartedly. He always taught his children to help and not judge others. He said, “You never know what pain or anger resides inside someone.” No words could come close to say who this man is, if you knew him, met him, you know his heart shined through this entire valley like gold. 

Joe was the father to Tea’, JoeJoe, D-Man, Nimbue and Nixon McGinnis. He is survived by mother-in-law Carole Nixon-Baldy, who he called his mom, aunts Sheri Nixon, Brenda Bowie and Ilene Bowie. Sisters; Margaret (Miguel) Trijulio, Tina Carpenter, Stephanie Castleberry and Janice Nixon. Brothers; John “Johnny Mack” (Teresa) McGinnis, Dakota”JB the bigger figger” (Lisa) McGinnis, James “Big Jim” McGinnis, . Nephews; Andrew (Tessenia) & Brian Calderon, Jacob McGinnis John McGinnis Jr., Josh McGinnis, Lawrence McGinnis, Michael McGinnis, Richard (Erica), Wayners (Cyndi), Shane, Herc, Wade, George, Nick, Leland, and Gage Nixon. Nieces; Wanda Cranfield, Janice McGinnis, Dawnetta Carpenter, Christina Calderon, Kristie Gomez, Laynee Nixon and Cheyenne Hostler. Deceased family; Parents, Dakota “Big Papa” & Janice McGinnis, brothers, Duane & Martin McGinnis and. George & Richard Nixon, sister, Delilah Carpenter, neice; Crystal “Boo” Carpenter and nephew; Christopher “La-fer Kngkrs” McGinnis. 

Pallbearers were Joe McGinnis Jr., Dakota McGinnis, George Nixon IV, Richard Nixon Jr., William Nixon, Shane Nixon, Eric Nixon, Wade Nixon, Talbert Alverado, Lawrence McGinnis, Mikey Moralis, Michael McGinnis, Jim McGinnis, John McGinnis Sr., Dakota McGinnis, Andrew Canderon, Brian Calderon, John McGinnis Jr. Billy Robinson and Manny Gonzales. 

Honorary Pallbearers were Danny Lopez, Jim Bowie, Gusto Bowie, Duane Bowie Jr., Doug McLeod, Robert Ellis, Nathan French, Romero Rameriz, Aaron Cross, Iska George, Micah Titus, Louis Scott, Wolfie Colegrove, Sueguy Colegrove, Arthur Jones, Nels Nelson, Aaron Williams, Isaac Bussell, Mike Hostler, Mike Lee, Rodney Robbins, John Robbins, David Wilber, Levi Tripp, Ronnie Navarro, Hank Bernard, Jorge Johnson, Joaquin Johnson, Lawrence Tracy, Larry Tracy Cory Tracy, Ray Jones, Charlie McCovey Jr., Inker McCovey, Boydie Ferris, Mery George, David Hostler, Cory Surber, Roger Surber, Sport Surber, James Marshall, Notcho McCovey, Hollywood Smith, Maui Smith, Joe Smith, Cowboy Billings, Lyle Baldy, Adam Trimble, Geno Masten, Jordan Haily, Gerald Moon, Charlie Moon, Barry Bernard, Jessie Armstrong. We apologize if your name was not mentioned, just know he loved you.

Services for Joe were held on Sept. 14th, at Sheri Nixon’s home and funeral services were on Sunday, Sept. 15th, at the Neighborhood Facilities. Burial was at Nixon Cemetery in Hoopa where he called home.

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The obituary above was submitted by Joe’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.

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