Charlie McGinley joined the WJMA Radio staff in September, 1949 a week after the station first signed on from studios at DeVivi Restaurant. DeVivi's and the Jefferson Motel are gone and have been replaced by the Comfort Inn. In early November of 2017 Charlie and his wife Trink returned to Orange to visit with Ross and Carol Hunter, see how the Town has changed since 1950, and pay a visit to Saint Thomas’s church where they were married in 1950.
Charlie left WJMA in the Fall of 1950 when called to active duty with the US Navy during the Korean War. After returning to civilian life, he worked for three years at WSVA Radio in Harrisonburg. After that he entered Episcopal Seminary in Alexandria. His first pastoral assignment was at St Stephen’s church in Richmond. Charlie is retired and living in Maryland.
Left to right, Ross Hunter, Kevin Dalton current WJMA General Manager, and Charlie McGinley.
photo by Howard McGinley