David S. McGinty was born September 22, 1943 to Raymond and Lorraine McGinty in Fairbury, Nebraska. He passed peacefully on December 29, 2025, after several years of failing health.

David and his family moved to Humboldt County in the early 1950s and lived in a logging camp in Grizzly Creek, a Con Camp in Happy Camp, then Arcata and Eureka.

David went to work for the City of Eureka in April of 1964, first working in the zoo where he became well acquainted with Bill the chimpanzee, then moving to the water treatment plant, eventually moving into City Hall. He became the Director of Community Services and retired from the City of Eureka in 2003. Of the many projects David was involved in over the years, he was most proud of the Wastewater Treatment plant, the Wharfinger Building and Small Boat Basin, and the waterfront Boardwalk.

Every August David could be found at the Humboldt County Fair, where he enjoyed his passion for horseracing. For more than 12 years he was the anonymous handicapper who wrote “The Sage” tip sheet.

Every September he joined his closest friends for deer hunting with the Grouse Mountain Hunting Club.

His final months were blessed with regular visits from Kairos, a six-year-old yellow lab with a truly angelic disposition. Those visits brought him great joy.

David was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Larry and sister-in-law Ilene, 8 aunts and uncles on his mother’s side, 8 aunts and uncles on his father’s side, and numerous cousins.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Judith; his daughter and son-in-law Jenifer and Chris Doane, and grandson Colin Doane of Eureka; former wife Betty Jean McGinty; stepdaughter Brandie Burnham and grandson Brandon Burnham; stepson Todd Garner and grandchildren Trevor, Dylan and Sydney Garner.

A celebration of David’s life will be held at his Wharfinger Building on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 3 p.m. Please put it on your new, 2026 calendar, now.

If you would like to honor David’s memory with a charitable donation we suggest Hospice of Humboldt, Food for People, Miranda’s Rescue, or the local organization most dear to your heart.

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The obituary above was submitted by David McGinty’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.