Charles W. McGinnis

Charles Wilbur McGinnis, age 89, of Fargo, North Dakota passed away on March 12, 2024. Charles was born to parents Edmund David and Alma McGinnis on February 27, 1935 in Wilton, ND. He attended Wilton High School and graduated as the valedictorian.

Charles entered the U.S. Army 1955 serving in South Korea and in Tokyo, Japan where he met Reiko Ebata. They were married in 1957 in both a traditional Japanese wedding and at the U.S. Embassy. They returned to North Dakota where Charles earned his degree at Jamestown College. To pay for tuition and their living expenses, he proudly worked on the construction project for the world’s largest buffalo located in Jamestown. After graduation, he was then recruited to work as an auditor for the U.S. General Accounting Office in Los Angeles, California in 1960. The following year, he transferred to the U.S. Department of Defense Contract Audit Agency.

When his father’s health started to decline, Charles and Reiko moved back to Wilton, ND in 1967. Charles began working at the First State Bank of Wilton and eventually became the President in 1975. Deeply committed to the local agricultural economy, he served as an officer of many local civic organizations including the Economic Development Council and Lions Club. He also served as Director of the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota for four years. On the national level, he served on the Small Bank Council of the American Bankers Association where he lobbied for legislation to strengthen the farm economy and locally owned banks.

On a more personal note, he will be remembered as a devoted family man. He taught his only child, Esther, to value education, hard work and faith. In their elderly years, Charles took care of his wife as she began to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.

Charles is survived by his wife of 67 years, Reiko McGinnis, their daughter Esther McGinnis, son-in-law Kyle Keller and granddaughter Sophia Keller (Fargo, ND).

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers: Edmund David McGinnis, Jr. of Kisby, Saskatchewan, James McGinnis of Nampa, ID, and Dwight McGinnis of Wilton, ND.

If desired, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

The funeral will be held on April 22, 2024 at 10 AM at Boulger Funeral Home, 123 10th Street South, Fargo, ND with visitation one hour before the service.