J.R. Mcguire

John Robert (J.R.) McGuire was born on August 24, 1934 near Decaturville, Missouri. He was the seventh of eight children born to James Elis and Josephine (DeCoursey) McGuire. He entered his Heavenly home on January 13, 2024 in Eldon, Missouri at the age of 89 years, 4 months and 20 days.

J.R., as he was known, grew up on a small farm in the Decaturville area. He attended Bank Branch school until the eighth grade. He and younger brother Gene usually walked to school. If the horses weren’t being used, they could ride them to school as long as they walked them; no running allowed. Once when returning home from school at more than a leisurely rate, J.R. fell off his horse. The horse beat him home, grandma Jose knew what happened and so the boys returned to a more traditional mode of educational transportation.

After Bank Branch he attended Camdenton High School. J.R. said that for two days he watched from the second story window of the old “Red Brick” school building, as the “Castle” at Ha Ha Tonka burned. J.R. left off his studies in High School trying his hand at various occupations including the Missouri Conservation Department, Highway Department and a local mechanic shop.

J.R. had a natural inclination toward mechanics. Each occupation built upon another and he eventually found himself working as a skilled mechanic. He worked for various employers over the years applying his skills including Scotts Concrete, High Brothers Lumber and Camdenton R-III schools.

On August 14, 1953 he was united in marriage to the love of his life Elizabeth Anne (Betty) Morrison in the home of his brother-in-law, T.O. (Buck) Marler. Uncle Buck performed the service.

To this 70 years of wedlock three children were born, Susan Kay Cross, Malcolm Douglas (Joyce), Robert Alan (Peggy). Fourteen grandchildren, Chris McGuire (Lynette), Tony Webster (Chelsey), Chris and Tony had a special relationship to their grandpa, as he helped raise them as sons. Todd Cross (Dee), Tiffany Tryon, (Scott) Sara Hynes (Mike), Lori Hill (Randall), Levi McGuire (Mary), Lydia McGuire, Landry McGuire, Ethan McGuire (Autumn), Racaiah Kornoely (Justin), Seth McGuire, Lincoln McGuire (Victoria), Abigail Metscher (Luke). So far there are twenty-one great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and God willing, more to come. He was blessed with several nieces, nephews, family and friends.

J.R. cherished his family and led by example. Those nearest him knew he wasn’t a perfect man and often seen him seeking divine guidance. Of this world’s goods he probably came up short alongside others; he often admitted that he was a “poor rich man”. Poor in earthly wealth but rich in the blessings from heaven. It was rare to hear him speak ill of anyone; he loved people, never seeing a stranger. Of all the things he left behind for his family and friends, the most precious gift was his testimony. He let all know that would listen, as the Holy scriptures teach, to have eternal life one must be “born again”, not of the flesh but of the spirit.

J.R. often spoke of being saved during a revival service when he “was a little white-headed boy” at the old Marple Schoolhouse near Eldridge, Missouri. After getting married and starting his family, brother Arthur Keeney, a deacon at Myetta Missionary Baptist Church, urged J.R. to get his family in church; which he did.

Myetta church eventually ordained him as a deacon in which he served the position well. On April 15, 1967 J.R. gave his call to preach and began his service in the ministry. On October 22, 1967 he was ordained by the church as a minister of the gospel. What followed was the most important years of his life as far as he was concerned. J.R. held and helped with many revival services throughout the state. He held the position of pastor in several Missionary Baptist churches around the area.

Brother Don Willis referred to J.R. as “the peacemaker”. Don was referring to times when J.R. was called upon to help settle disputes among the brethren. As the Apostle Paul wrote to those in Ephesus, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” often his efforts proved successful.

One of his greatest enjoyments was listening to his boys and grandchildren play and sing bluegrass gospel music. He often had a song to sing as well.

J.R. was witness to many changes in this world during his time. From walking or riding a horse as the primary mode of travel to men landing on the moon (though he wasn’t totally convinced that happened). He walked many miles behind a team plowing a cornfield to seeing tractors so big you couldn’t have turned one around in the cornfield he plowed. He wasn’t much of one to long for the “good old days”. He said he lived them and they were not always so good. He liked things like running water, electricity and indoor toilets. J.R. let us know that men change but God never does; we’ve been blessed to walk part of our journey with him.

Proceeding him in death were his parents, seven siblings, Adah Marler, Ivah Burns, Leona Burns, Elsie Rucker, Warren McGuire, Alvia McGuire, Eugene McGuire and son-in-law Jack Cross.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 18, 2024, in the Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. (noon) Thursday until time of services in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mt. Horeb Cemetery, Decaturville, Missouri.

Memorial donations may be made to Mt. Horeb Cemetery and left at the funeral home or mailed to Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, 15 Clint Avenue, Camdenton, Missouri 65020.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri.