James Frederick Charles
James Frederick Charles, 100, formerly of Tower, passed away Monday, June 5, 2023 at Lake Minnetonka Shores Assisted Living in Spring Park, MN.
James F. Charles was born on May 5, 1923 in Minneapolis, MN and graduated from West High School in 1941. He was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps at Camp 702 at Bena, MN and was proud of the many Norway pines he planted in that area.
He enlisted in the Navy in November, 1942, with duty in the Atlantic Theater of Operations. Jim was also Plank holder on the Carrier FDR serving as an Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd class, and was discharged in May, 1946, and immediately enlisted in the active Naval Reserve, where he served for an additional 8 years.
He worked a short time for Mpls. Honeywell, and Northern States Power, and attended the U of M in Wildlife Management. He worked summer jobs in Itasca State Park as a lifeguarded, and worked 2 summers for the Conservation Dept. sounding lakes and mapping depth maps. Many of the lakes he sounded and mapped are still in effect today, with many in Northeastern MN, including snowbank Lake, Crane Lake and Bear Island Lake.
He married the former Margaret Elizabeth “Betty” Wels in 1948 at Brainerd, MN. He started work in the MN Fisheries Dept. in June, 1952, in Grand Rapids, and then transferred to Winton, MN in the Section of Game as a Game Refuge Patrolman. He worked and patrolled the Superior Game Refuge (now the BWCAW) for 4 years by canoe and snowshoes. Winter work consisted of trapping predators, mainly timber wolves and he became quite proficient at it. In 1956, he transferred to the Game Warden Service, was stationed at Little Fork, MN, and was a member of the Volunteer Fire Dept. After 4 years, he transferred to Tower, MN in August of 1960.
He started the Firearm Safety program in Little Fork and continued the program in Tower. He spent the remainder of his career in Tower. He retired in 1982 with 31 years in the MN DNR.
He was active in the American Legion with over 60 years as a member and was Commander for 2 years in 1962-64 in Tower, and has been a member of the Tower VFW and Babbitt VFW Post 1539. Jim was a member of the MN Conservation Officers’ Pistol Team, and won many trophies for shooting. He was also a member of the Tower Bank Trapshooting Team which won 1st place for several years at the Ely Trap Range.
For several years he guided canoe parties in the Quetico Park and BWCA. During his spare time, he loved canoeing and spending time in the wilderness area. He was a member of the Tower Masonic Lodge for many years, was a member of the NRA for several years and was active in supporting the 2nd Amendment.
He married the former Shirley Anderson in Mt. Iron in 1982 shortly before retirement, and spent his remaining years on Lake Vermilion.
He was a director of the Lake Vermilion Sportsmen Club for several years and was a Senior Warden for several years at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Tower. Jim was an ardent hunter and fisherman, especially waterfowl and trout fishing, and was a longtime member of Ducks Unlimited. He also enjoyed downhill and cross-country skiing, and skied in several ski races between Ely, Tower, and Bearhead Lake. He also completed in several ski jumping contests in the Twin Cities as a teenager.
He is a life member of the MN Police and Peace Officers Association, and also of the Arrowhead Police Officers Association. Along with Fisheries personnel, he planted the first lake trout in Trout Lake in the early 1960s with the help of Bill Gruben.
Survived by son, James E. Charles of Alexandria, and daughter Wendy K. Charles of Mpls., grandchildren Dallas (Holea) Charles, Samantha (Griffin) Runge and Levi Charles of Alexandria and Elizabeth and Karla Villanueva of the Twin Cities, and great grandchildren Abel and Myla Charles. He is also survived by stepchildren Bruce (Ann) Anderson, Jackie (Mike) Unrein and Gerry (Cheryl) Anderson, and many step grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by parents James K. and Genevieve B. Charles, first wife Betty Wels Charles and second wife Shirley Anderson Charles, grandson Cody Charles, and step children Rick Anderson and Carol Anderson, and dear cousins John Scholl and Lucille Tellett.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower.
Funeral service will be 12 p.m. Monday, June 19, 2023 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower with Pastor Liz Cheney officiating. Visitation will be for two hours prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on August 11, 2023 at 12:45 p.m. Meet at Assembly Area 6. A lunch will follow the service. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.