Garry McGUIRE

MCGUIRE Garry McGuire - A thinker, a doer and friend to all. WALTON, KY - A lifelong resident of Boone County, Garry McGuire touched many lives in his 62 years. Happy to work behind the scenes to help others, he rarely called attention to his accomplishments. He graduated from Boone County High School in 1964, where he earned letters for football, track, tennis and basketball, and served as senior class treasurer. Garry went on to Eastern Kentucky University and graduated in 1969 with a B.S. Industrial Technology. Garry also attended Lexington Theological Seminary and was a student minister in Crittenden and Boston Christian Churches in Kentucky. He routinely held leadership positions within the Church and at the age of 26, he became the youngest elder ever elected in the Florence Christian Church. For the past four years, Garry attended the Warsaw Christian Church. Only weeks before his death, he arranged to provide the 1840s congregation with new pew cushions. Though too ill to attend services after the cushions arrived, he was thrilled to learn that they had been installed. While a student at EKU, he designed a portable power solution which caught the attention of the press and potential employers. He began a full time career with Electro Machining, Inc., while continuing his full time studies. Garry's skills and work ethic impressed Arlyn Easton, then president of EMI. After Mr. Easton acquired Meyer Tool and Die, he asked Garry to join him as Vice President of Manufacturing, a position he held from 1974 until his passing. Today, Meyer Tool, Inc. is an industry recognized leader in electro-machining aerospace technology. During his tenure, Garry was a valuable contributor to the success of Meyer Tool, which grew from 7 employees to more than 1,100 employees in numerous worldwide locations. Garry McGuire learned leadership and business lessons at an early age. As the middle child of five boys, he was a peacemaker and a bridge between the older and younger children. At the tender age of four, he negotiated his first job gathering eggs and helping with deliveries. He learned that a water pistol was a great way to make the chickens move, but was not so good for egg production. Garry enjoyed NASCAR and traveling, but most summer weekends would find him on Dale Hollow Lake. An avid fisherman, he delighted in all water sports, especially teaching others to water ski. He planned to spend his retirement years as an inventor and doting grandfather. In February 2005, Garry was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Later that year, he underwent autologous stem cell transplant treatments and met his goal to be in remission and healthy enough to leave the hospital to celebrate Christmas with his family. Though he fought a courageous and exhausting battle, the cancer returned and eventually claimed his life on April 16, 2008.Garry is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 41 years, Judith (Poland) McGuire, his children, Julia Taylor (Jack) and Ethan McGuire (Traci Kempf), both of Walton, four devoted grandchildren, and three brothers, Russell McGuire (Patti Stephens) of Crescent Springs, Gordon McGuire (Susan Beatty) of Walton and Darryl McGuire (Joyce) of Alexandria, VA, a large extended family and numerous honorary family members. His parents Gordon Lee McGuire and Mary (Butts) McGuire and a brother, Dennis McGuire (Ellie Reid) precede him in death.Visitation will be held at Stith Funeral Homes 7500 Highway 42 Florence, KY on Sunday April 20, 2008 from 1PM-6PM. A private service will be held at the family's convenience. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Warsaw Christian Church, Lexington Theological Seminary or the St. Elizabeth Hospice. Stith Funeral Homes Florence, KY is handling the arrangements.