Dwain McGinnis

Dwain McGinnis died Oct. 1, 2021, at Boundary Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, from complications of lung cancer. His wife and best friend, Kathy, was at his side.

Dwain was born Oct. 21, 1944, in Phoenix, Ariz. He was adopted and raised by his grandparents, Frank and Geneva (Sherrod) McGinnis.

As his dad was a bridge foreman for the railroad, Dwain’s early years were spent living on the railroad cars. He would often regale us with stories of these early times, where he dreamed of being a cowboy.

When he was 7 years old, the family moved to Phoenix where he grew up.

Dwain joined the Army when he was 17 and spent time in the airborne forces. He had many adventures while stationed in Berlin, West Germany.

Shortly after his Army discharge, he was married and had three children, Brian, Wendy and Dawn.

In 1970, Dwain left Phoenix on his motorcycle with no plans and no particular destination. He ended up in Portland, Ore., and it was in Portland where he would meet the love of his life, Kathy Pluid. Dwain and Kathy were married Sept. 4, 1982, recently celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary. They were blessed with two children, Lauren Michelle and Frank Jay.

Over his lifetime, Dwain had dozens of jobs and felt he was richer for the experiences he had doing such a wide variety of things. He was most proud of his years spent working for the city of Moyie Springs, Idaho, as the sole maintenance department for the city. He served two terms as a city councilman, and spent 12 years with the fire department.

Dwain loved hunting and fishing. The beauty of nature and Boundary County was not lost on him. He spent hours in his chair on his porch, staring through the binoculars at the beautiful view of the woods and the wildlife that graced his little spot of the world he loved. He loved playing games, especially pinochle. He was a voracious reader, said to “read everything he could get his hands on.” He loved the knowledge he managed to acquire from his reading. He also loved a good story (and told his share), a firm handshake, and a JD on the rocks.

Most of all, Dwain loved his family. He found pure joy in his wife and children. One of the highlights of his life began when he became, “PaPa,” to his grandchildren, Abigail Frances and Eli Vincent. They lit up his eyes and his heart, and he couldn’t get enough of them.

Dwain will be remembered for his love of life and his sense of humor. He was genuinely loved and will be truly missed.

Dwain is survived by his wife, Kathy, in Bonners Ferry; his children, Brian (Cara) McGinnis, Wendy Hoosier, Dawn McGinnis, all of Tacoma, Wash., Lauren (Adam) Michel of Bonners Ferry, and Frank McGinnis of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; his grandchildren, Cheri McGinnis, Taylor McGinnis of Tacoma, and Abbi and Eli Michel of Bonners Ferry; and one great-grandson; his brother, Larry Peterson of Escondido, Calif.; his sisters, Leslie Fray of Platina, Calif., Robin (Don) Tuttle, and Kimberly Hunt of Buckeye, Ariz.; brother-in-law Rob (Kim) Pluid of Moyie Springs, Idaho; sisters-in-law Kari (Bill) LaRue and Kristi (Mike) Gravelle of Spokane, Wash.; and his father-in-law, Bob Pluid of Moyie Springs; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Dwain was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law Ina Pluid; brother-in-law Ron Fray and sister-in-law Kathleen Peterson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at the United Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery, also in Bonners Ferry.

To leave a message or memory for the family, please go to www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Bonners Ferry Funeral Home is caring for the family.