George L. Mcguire Sr.

George L. McGuire Sr., age 88 of Hamilton passed away at Ft. Hamilton Hospital on Saturday, June 30, 2012. Hi strength, integrity and playful sense of humor will be greatly missed by friends and family. He was born in Hamilton on July 16, 1923, the oldest of seven children to parents Charles Augustus McGuire and Grace Florence (Hopkins) McGuire. Life toughened him. He was six years old at the start of the Great Depression. As a young man, he enlisted in the Army and fought in Northern Africa and with Patton’s army in Italy. George was wounded in Sicily and met General Patton. While hospitalized for those wounds he processed awards for Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy. Like many WWII vets, George returned home after the war to start a family and career. He truly was a full-fledged member of our country’s "Greatest Generation." On January 18, 1946 he married Beulah M. "Boodie Mae" Johnson, who preceded him in death in 1988. George and Beulah had five children, George Jr. (Bev), Gary (Phyllis), Tim (Roseann), and Vivian McGuire. His parents, son Michael Sidney, brothers Charles, Russell, Robert "Bobby" and sister Daisy Frances Campbell preceded him in death. Always ready for a challenge, or as George would say, "Galvanized for action!" he rescued a trapped Millville woman from flood waters in 1956 and saved a four-year-old boy from an armed kidnapping in Auburn, Ohio in 1959. A self-made man, he ultimately held executive contract administration positions in the space industry and with Litton Industries, notably leading a multimillion dollar favorable settlement on behalf of Ortronix, Inc. of Orlando, Florida. Athletic by nature, George enjoyed sports and played softball locally for years, earning the nickname, "Crazy Legs." After a shoulder injury prevented him from throwing a ball normally, he still managed to routinely make a one-hop, underhand throw from deep center field to home plate. Intelligent, witty, hard-working and tough, he was one of a kind and will be sorely missed and never replaced. He is survived by brothers Vernon Sr. and Herman; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; long-time companion Joan Johnson; numerous nieces and nephews; and faithful dog Opie. The family wishes to thank the staff of Schroder Manor for taking wonderful care of Dad. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Butler County Humane Association. Service will be held at the Brown-Dawson-Flick Funeral Home, 330 Pershing Avenue, on Saturday, July 7, 2012 from at 10:00 AM with Rev. David Williams, Pastor of Hamilton West Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Butler County Humane Society.