James ‘Jim’ Lewis McGuire, 95, passed away December 31, 2020, at Hester Care Center, Hutchinson. He was born May 15, 1925, in Luray, to Willis Chester and Eunice Belle (Galley) McGuire.
Jim was a 1943 graduate of Keats-Hoyt Rural High School, Hoyt, KS. After graduation, he served in the United States Air Force as a bombardier/navigator from 1943 to 1945. Upon completion of Jim’s military commitment, he went to Baker University and graduated in 1949. He then attended the University of Kansas for a year of study in group social work.
In 1951, Jim began his work with Co-op Councils/Farmers Co-op Commission, followed by Farmland Industries (formerly FarMarCo), as the Human Resources Personnel Director and Corporate Secretary. His memberships included the Kiwanis Club of Hutchinson, Optimist Club of Topeka, Lions Club of Flagler, CO, Denver Ag and Livestock Club, Kansas Future Farmers of America, and Colorado Young Farmers Educational Association. Jim served as a board of director member for Central Kansas Credit Union, and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson.
On December 27, 1952, Jim and Jane Isabel Owen were married by his father, the Reverend Willis C. McGuire, in Kansas City, KS. They began their life together in Flagler, CO, then moved to Topeka, and later to Hutchinson for 16 years. In 1979, Jim’s work then took them to Aurora, CO, where they lived until retirement. They moved back to Hutchinson in 1988. His wife of over 66 years, passed on July 20, 2019.
He is survived by daughter, Marianne (John) Fenili of Goddard; sons, Thomas (Candy) McGuire of Wichita, and Michael (Robyn) McGuire of Gardner; grandchildren, Erica (Kyle) Wallis, Becca (Bret Triola) Fenili, Cameron McGuire, Cooper McGuire, and Kenny Rinker; great-grandchildren, Hudson, Owen, and Austyn Wallis; and sister, Charlotte Wagoner.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two infant daughters; and siblings, David McGuire, Benjamin McGuire, Sheldon McGuire, and Shirley McGuire.
A Celebration of Life service will be scheduled at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, or Wesley Towers Good Samaritan Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
The family wishes to thank the staff, nurses, and all caregivers at Wesley Towers for their years of love and dedication to our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. We will be forever grateful.