William Patrick ”Pat” McGinnis, longtime Whidbey Island, Wash. resident, retired Navy jet mechanic, and ultrasound technician died unexpectedly at his home on Jan. 10, 2020.

Pat McGinnis was born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1942. Like many Americans of Irish descent, he traced his ancestry back to immigrants who fled the Irish potato famine in the mid-1800s. Pat and grandson Anthony treasured their recent trip to Ireland together.

As a boy, he was active in Scouting and developed a lifelong love of the outdoors, which he shared with his family.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1963. Three years later, he was transferred to the Twin Cities in Minnesota, where he met and promptly married Linda Johnson. His love of dogs and her love of horses sparked a combined interest which they shared for the next 52 years with everyone they met.

While stationed in Kansas, he trained dogs for the Kansas City Police Department. He and Linda founded Lymrick Kennel, raising and showing some of the top Basenjis and Vizslas in the country. In Kansas the family enjoyed traveling to dog shows and camping together.

The family joined 4-H, in which Pat was county 4-H treasurer and led the county dog project.

In 1979, the family came to Whidbey Island, where Pat and Linda and their two children continued raising and training a variety of animals. Pat taught dog training to youth in 4-H clubs and managed the rabbit and poultry barn at the Island County Fair.

When Pat and Linda changed their focus from dogs to mini horses in the 1990s, Lymrick Kennel became Lymrick Farm. The couple is now known for raising and showing some of the top miniature horses in the world. Pat shared his expertise and love of these animals with everyone he met.

After retiring from the Navy in 1985, Pat used his GI Bill to earn his degree and certification in sonography. He worked at Whidbey General Hospital, Island Hospital and then Island Radiology.

Pat McGinnis is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter, Karie McGinnis Olson; son, John McGinnis; grandchildren, Anthony, Jake, Shara, and Todd; brother, Mike; and sisters, Michele and Nancy.

All are welcome to attend Mass followed by memorial service 10 a.m. Feb. 1 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Oak Harbor, Wash. Interment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 3. All are welcome to attend.

Since Pat was a big supporter of St. Jude Research Hospital, donations instead of flowers would be appreciated.