The Thomas C. McGeary Garden was created by Robert Vann in 1995. The purpose of the garden was to give these skills to the Center's children. The character of the garden has changed many times over the years, sometimes concentrating on vegetables, and more recently concentrating on flowers and decorative plants.

In early 2003 the garden was designated the Thomas C. McGeary Garden to honor a man who has consistently supported the Al Wooten Center. Mr McGeary is shown above with Robert Vann during a trip to Boston in 2002

The Al Wooten Center mourns the loss of Mr. McGeary

Thomas C. McGeary of Manhattan Beach, California died on Thursday December 26th 2002 at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts, while recuperating from vascular surgery.  He was 72.

A prominent businessman, Mr. McGeary was the founder and President of MagTek, Inc. headquartered in Carson, California.

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. McGeary graduated from LaSalle Military Academy, Oakdale, NY in 1948.  He subsequently received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1952.  He also served his country as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

Mr. McGeary spent many years in the New England area as a salesman for Union Carbide Corporation.  In 1969 he moved to California to work for American Computer and Communication Co. In 1972 he founded MagTek, Inc. an industry leader in the field of magnetic stripe technology.  He continued at the helm of MagTek, building and shaping the company until his death.  In recent years Mr. McGeary also served as an advisor to the Georgetown University School of Business.  A strong believer in the benefit of industry standards, he served on numerous committees of the International Standards Organization.

He was an avid fly-fisherman who enjoyed many excursions to rivers of the Western states.  An accomplished golfer, he was a longtime member of the Palos Verdes Golf Club.  Mr. McGeary was the holder of many patents, including one that specified a method of recording golf handicap data on a magnetic stripe card.  An enthusiast for words and humor, he was a member of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick.

Mr. McGeary was a longtime, faithful volunteer at the Midnight Mission in Los Angeles and a benefactor to the Al Wooten Center, and he was a parishioner at American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach.
Mr. Robert Vann explaining to James Hollins and Dillan Horton how a fern differs from other types of plants and the special considerations to be used in caring for ferns.

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