Bruce Gaylord Guinn

Bruce Gaylord Guinn

Dec. 17, 1925 - Nov. 14, 2015

OBERLIN, Kan.-- Bruce Gaylord Guinn passed from this life on Nov. 14, 2015. Born in Decatur County, Kansas, on the family farm in 1925, Bruce lived most of his 89 years in Oberlin.

Attending schools in Oberlin, he participated in athletics, school plays, and served as class vice president during his senior year in 1944. Upon graduation, Bruce jumped at the chance to help in the war effort, traveling out west to the shipyards in Portland, Oregon, during World War II, where he learned both welding and pipefitting while building the Liberty ships. It was there that he successfully completed his plumbing and heating apprenticeship.

Upon his return home to Oberlin, Bruce, at the tender age of 19, founded two business ventures: operating the Pen-Guinn Lunch located on South Penn Avenue, and Bruce's Taxi Service -- the latter of which he found himself inadvertently assisting once more in the War -- but this time, in its aftermath -- as many Northwestern Kansans had sacrificed their vehicles in multiplicitous scrap metal drives. With automobiles in short supply, many passengers were quite surely grateful for this transportation service. However, it does seem quite uncanny that Bruce would have chosen the field of transportation, as his Grandfather, Will R. Guinn, operated what was then termed a "delivery," where he also transported passengers to distant towns during 1905-1918.

Bruce always liked serving the public and was an entrepreneur from an early age. In fifth grade, he accompanied his father, who was a clerk at the Oberlin Livestock Auction and helped him sell popcorn, soda and candy bars during the sales. In high school, Bruce gained experience at Duke's Grocery and for a short time, was a mail carrier in Junction City.

While operating the Pen-Guinn lunch, he met the love of his life, Hazel Jean Carlson, who was a schoolteacher at Oberlin Elementary. They soon married and made their home in Oberlin, where she taught until her untimely death in 1979.

In September 1949, Bruce founded Guinn's Heating and Plumbing and became an icon on Oberlin Main Street for over 50 years. He was awarded the Lennox 50-year dealer award and sold Maytag appliances for over 30 years. In 1981, he opened a branch location in Atwood. Bruce always believed that customer service was his number one priority and would often state, "A happy customer is my best reward."

Civic and community involvement was close to Bruce's heart. He served as president of the Kansas Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) in 1969, and continued as an active member of the Kansas and Nebraska PHCC. He was involved in the Oberlin Chamber of Commerce and Commercial Club, was a charter member of the Oberlin Gun and Wildlife Club and president of the Oberlin Country Club, where he helped construct the golf course and spent many a happy moment playing rounds of golf. As an avid hunter and angler, he loved being outdoors and seemed happiest surrounded by nature. Perhaps his favorite avocation was trap shooting, as he thrived on the competition -- earning two state championships in Kansas and one in Nebraska. Bruce was a lifetime member of the Amateur Trap Shooting Association (ATA), Kansas Trapshooting Association (KTA) and National Rifle Association (NRA).

In Bruce's later years, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle and working on the Guinn family homestead where he kept horses, llamas, goats, peacocks and other animals. For many years, he cultivated a thriving greenhouse full of exotic plants that in many respects rivaled even a professional grower's conservatory. Bruce also loved to collect and polish rocks to their brilliant sheen -- most probably because he cherished both their raw, natural beauty and their intended, ultimate destiny.

But it should be noted that no matter where he went, so did one of his partners in crime -- one of his many beloved dogs -- who was never very far behind him. Wherever you would find Bruce, so you would find Snert, Cash or Speedy.

Bruce is survived by his children, Pamella Jean (Guinn) Smith (Phil), and Shawn Patrick Guinn (Hope). Bruce is also survived by his six grandchildren: Julie Jean (Smith) Richmond (Jason), Bradley Wayne Smith (Hina), Cynthia Joleen (Smith) Shue {Chris}, Lenna Ruth (Guinn) Williams (Rob), Jared Ryan Guinn (Jessa), Brandyn Aubrey (Guinn) Robertson (Jesse), and eight great-grandchildren: Trinity Rain Williams, Isaac James Shue, June Lilian Williams, Seth Gabriel Williams, Tyler Joseph Shue, Quentyn Marie Shue, Alexandria Grace Smith, and Zakary Silas Williams. Additional survivors include his brothers, Don Guinn (Merle), Gary Guinn (Melvalyn) and Larry Guinn (Violet), and a host of friends and family.

Bruce was predeceased by his mother, Dorothea Grace (Bowser) Guinn; his father, Bruce Guinn, Sr.; and his wife, Hazel Jean (Carlson) Guinn.

A memorial service will be scheduled in the near future at the United Church of Oberlin, where Bruce was a member.

Bruce requested in lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to the following: McCook Humane Society, P.O Box 13, McCook, NE 69001.

Baalmann Mortuary of Atwood is handling arrangements.