Dr. George McGonigle remembered and ministry celebrated throughout Episcopal community
Dr. George Lee McGonigle, who served as Seminary of the Southwest’s first provost, was appointed Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning’s senior executive officer, was elected as deputy for several General Conventions, and was a long-time member of St. David’s Church in Austin, died Aug. 28, in Austin, Texas. He was 97.
“All of us at the seminary were deeply saddened by news of the death of Dr. George McGonigle,” said Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, dean and president of Seminary of the Southwest. “Integral to the seminary’s growth and success, George was the first provost of the institution, serving in the transition between deans Gordon Charlton and Dusty McDonald from 1982 to 1984. As a layperson, his appointment was hailed as a model of lay-clergy partnership in seminary leadership. He received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from the seminary in 1984. He continued to be a dear friend and devoted supporter of Southwest in the years to come. He leaves a legacy of faithful service by which he will be remembered.”
In 2018, the House of Bishops of the 79th General Convention recognized McGonigle for his service to General Convention and the Diocese of Texas, having served as deputy at eight Conventions. They also thanked him for his work as chair of the Committee on Ministry of General Convention and his leadership during difficult times.
“George McGonigle was a gift to the church for which I and so many others have received,” said the Rt. Rev. Andrew Doyle, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. “His life was one of honesty, vision, and service. In my years as a young priest, George was a model for me of an ideal disciple of Jesus who loved the church and God’s mission through it. His wisdom early in my Episcopate will be treasured, as will the lunches, coffees, and moments I was able to share with him. In my life and ministry I have desired to take the very best of what I learned from George and apply it to the Diocese of Texas and my ministry outside of it. I am a grateful bishop for his life given to us by God. May his memory be a blessing and may he be missed because of love.”
In the early 1980s, McGonigle retired from ExxonMobil in Houston and moved to Austin. George and wife Martha Ann joined St. David’s Episcopal Church in 1984, and were devoted members for nearly 40 years. At St. David’s he served as senior warden, taught a very popular and well-attended 16-week confirmation class, and served as the parliamentarian for the Annual Parish Meeting for many years. He took great solace in the teachings of the church and made many life-long friends in the parish.
“The center of George’s life was a profound love – love for his family, love for his wide circle of friends, love for the faith and for the Church, and love for his country. Because of that love, George was committed to finding the deep center of truth behind all things, which made him masterful at negotiating complex issues that begged to divide people. It’s why he was so loved and respected by people on both sides of the various aisles in his life. He was deeply loved because he loved deeply. And I loved him for it,” said the Rev. Chuck Treadwell, rector of St. David’s.
A memorial service will be held at St. David’s Church in Austin, 301 East 8th Street, Thursday, Sept. 19, at 3 p.m. A reception will follow in Sumners Hall. Read full obituary.