John Lee McGuire, age 71, of Derby, Kansas, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on September 23, 2025. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, just as he lived—wrapped in love, faith, and grace.
Born on October 12, 1953, in Bakersfield, California. Raised in the warmth of a small-town and the wideopen spaces of Caddo County Oklahoma, he learned early to work hard but embrace and enjoy life. He was ornery and full of laughter. John “Rooster” as he was called as a child, has 7 brothers 1 sister. Carl, Jerry, Charles, John “Johnny Bug”, Robert, Cecil “Junior”, Dorothy “Sissy”, and Raymond. His childhood was filled with dusty roads, peanut fields and basketball. He graduated from Oney High School in 1971 and kept contact with classmates through the years. He knew the kind of joy that comes from simple blessings and friendship. John never knew a stranger and would help anyone in need.
In 1974, John married Tammy Chumley, and with that union came two daughters Kesha Dawn and Keila Michelle whom John cherished with all his heart. He was a devoted father knowing the importance of being in their lives. He was generous and taught many life lessons from how to swing a hammer to how to treat people right.
In 2007, John’s story grew richer when he married Rhonda Mings. With that union, he gained three more children Angie, Travis, and Amber, whom he embraced with open arms and a full heart. His love extended beyond biology, and he poured into each of us love, and strong support.
John worked as a carpenter for over four decades, framing many houses in the Burkburnett, Texas area and later throughout Oklahoma and Kansas. He also worked at Carter Wind Generators, where he installed wind turbines across the country. John and family moved to Madison, Kansas in August 1990. He worked for over 15 years at Dolly Madison factory in Emporia, Kansas. He then began his own contracting business and continued that until retiring in 2024. John never knew an eight-hour workday, whether fixing a friend’s clogged sink, or helping roof their homes. John worked hard and reflected the love of Jesus in every interaction with his kindness and generosity.
He found joy in fishing when he would take the time, but many friends gave him fish that he loved to fry up “the right way”. He loved woodworking projects, but his biggest passion was playing music and dancing! He began following the Powder River Band in 1998 and became a fiddler in the band. He joined the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest in 2008. Creating music and singing with his wife, Rhonda in the Country Sunshine Band while they traveled around the northeast Kansas area.
John is survived by his wife Rhonda McGuire; daughters Kesha Dawn (Bob Eldridge), Keila Michelle (Clint Sherman), Angie (Andre Nelson), and Amber; son Travis (Icy Butler); 14 Grandchildren: Bridget (Devin Slate), Eli (Katelyn), Katie Mae, Jolie, Caleb, Morgan, Jazmine, Keenan (Rachel), E.J. (Dez), Zak (Brooke), Rosamond, Kendrick (Bri), Thad, Teah. 15 Great Grandchildren: Ryder, Raelynn, Louis, Kaleb, Josh, Elija, Daniel, Xander, LuElla, Meekah, Azariah, Azon, Ayrabell, Abram, and Gracie May. He loved all his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Dorothy and two siblings, Johnny Bug and Sissy.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at American Legion Post 5 2921 W 12th Ave. Emporia, Ks on October 18th from 2-4pm.
Graveside Service near Oney, Oklahoma on October 19th at 2pm in the Albert Oney Union Cemetery located at 13070-13098 County Road 1250.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made In Memory of John McGuire: On This Rock Church, P.O. Box 555 Eureka, Ks 67045 or via PayPal: [email protected] or Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest – Scholarship Fund PO BOX 1719 Blanchard, OK 73010 Arrangements are by Affordable Cremations Plus, Wichita, Ks.
We rejoice that he now rests in the arms of Jesus, where there is no more pain, only peace.
