Francis Kevin McGinnity, 76, of Valley City, ND passed away in Fargo, ND at VA Hospital on December 6, 2023, after battling Lewy Body Dementia.
Kevin was born Friday June 13th, 1947, to Donald George McGinnity and Minnie Faye McGinnity (Dannewitz) in Stanley, ND. He was the youngest of three children.
He grew up on the McGinnity family farm located outside of McGregor, ND. As a child, he was involved with boy scouts and enjoyed working with the animals on his family’s farm. Kevin attended the Lindahl grade school and graduated from McGregor High School in 1965. He began attending UND in Grand Forks ND and studied mechanical engineering starting in 1966. He enlisted into the Army in November of 1966 and completed basic training at Fort Rucker, Alabama on Feb 27, 1968. From March of 1968 until March 1969 where he flew Huey-type aircraft and hauled troops and cargo in Vietnam. Kevin earned the Vietnam Service Medal, a Silver Star, Army Commendation Medal, an Air Medal, and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Upon his return to the States, his duties included Mission and Installation Contracting Command where he escorted fallen soldiers back to their families. After his honorable discharge from the service on August 26th, 1970, he resumed his studies at UND graduating in 1972 with a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of the UND Flying Club and served as their treasurer for a time.
While residing in Spring Lake Park, MN between 1980 and 2014 he worked as a purchasing agent for ONAN/Cummins Engine Corporation. In 1990, he was awarded full custody of his two daughters, who he successfully raised as a single parent. With his support and backing, his daughter Jill was able to complete Veterinary school in 2000 and start her own Veterinary practice near Perham Minnesota in 2002. He made it possible for his daughter Janice to spend a year abroad in South Africa as a rotary student and come back to complete a degree in psychology. He retired in 2003 and spent time maintaining some rental properties. He loved fixing things and was fantastic at home repairs. Just before he retired from Cummins, he volunteered with local high schools teaching students about basic financial management skills. In his spare time, he also was active with St. Timothy’s Catholic Church and facilitated sessions for the “widowed/separated/divorced support groups. Kevin was also an active gardener.
In 2002, Kevin found the love of his life when he began dating Colleen Olson. They were married on June 18 2005 in Williston, ND. They relocated to their current home in Valley City, ND in 2014.
He is survived by his wife Colleen, Valley City, and his two daughters: Jill (Joseph) Langlie, Richville, MN, and Janice (Jared) Place, Fridley, MN, his brother Leonard (Marie) McGinnity Aurora, CO; brothers-in-law Rodger (Helene) Olson, Tioga, ND, Lee Olson, Tioga, ND, Sister-in-law Lori Olson, Tioga, ND, and Numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Donald and Faye McGinnity, sister Kathy Rodahl, brother-in-law Jerry Rodahl, nieces Renee Rodahl and Peggy Rodahl, and nephew Jamie Rodahl, as well as his brother-in-law Larry Olson.
The funeral service for Kevin will be 10:30 am Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Grace Free Lutheran Church, Valley City. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 pm at the church with a prayer service at 7 pm. Visitation will continue Tuesday one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be 10 am Wednesday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.olivernathanchapel.com