James Fredrick Chinquist

July 6, 1948 - February 12, 2022

James Fredrick Chinquist, 73, of Maplewood, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2022. James was born on July 6, 1948, to Clement and June Chinquist in Willmar, MN. After graduating from Devils Lake High School, ND, he went on to study Mathematics at the University of North Dakota. After graduation, he worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad for several years, then for Minnesota's Metropolitan Council. In 1977, James met and married Caroline Paquette, and they went on to have 2 children, Jeremy and Joanna. James was an active member of the Great Northern Railway Historical Society (GNRHS) and The Elks. James is survived by his wife Caroline Chinquist; son Jeremy (Marion) Chinquist; daughter Joanna (Ian) Johnston; brother C. Charles (Patricia) Chinquist, Jr.; and grandsons Isaac and Duncan Johnston. James was preceded in death by his parents June and Clement C. Chinquist, Sr. A celebration of life will be held Monday, February 21, 2022 at Hillside Washburn-McReavy Chapel, 2610 19th Ave NE Minneapolis, MN 55418. Visitation will start at 9:30 AM and the service will begin at 10:30 AM. Please consider a memorial donation to the GNRHS in lieu of flowers. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be available for remote viewing here on his obituary page under the photos and video tab.