James Francis Guinn
courtesy photo
James Guinn
POLSON — James Francis Guinn, age 89, of Polson was reunited with his wife and the Lord on Dec. 21, 2013. While we will all miss him terribly, he is where he wanted to be with his wife.
Jim was born June 1, 1924, to Harold and Maggie Guinn and raised in Polson. They lived on a 500-hundred acre farm, which was the Guinn Homestead. He graduated from Polson High School and after graduation Jim joined the Army and served for four years.
Jim returned to Polson and began working construction. He met Gerri and they married in Polson, on Sept. 3, 1949. They were married 62 years and shared many adventures and memories.
They moved to Spokane, Wash., and lived there for 30 years. Jim became a crane operator and became one of the most sought after and respected operators in Spokane because of his work ethic and always pursuing perfection. He worked on many dams in Washington, including the Grand Coulee Dam. Jim and Gerri raised their three children in Spokane and were members of Whitworth Presbyterian Church where Jim served as a Deacon for many years. Jim was very involved in all aspects of his children’s lives, especially his son Larry’s sports life from grade school through college. Also, during these years some of Jim’s favorite things were camping, boating, water skiing and spending time with the family. He loved inviting as many kids as he could to go camping and also teaching them how to water-ski.
Jim and Gerri moved back to Polson for retirement in 1978. Their youngest daughter, Lorilee, was 12 at the time and went on to graduate from Polson High School. Again, he was very involved in her sports and school life. During this time Jim farmed several acres of the old homestead, which became one of the favorite times of his life. They became members of Polson Presbyterian Church and Jim served as a Deacon for several years. He was also a lifetime member of the Elks.
Jim and Gerri bought a place on the lake and enjoyed many years of entertaining friends and family there. They loved to take people boating and fishing. Fishing became one of Jim’s passions and he passed this on to his son and grandsons. Nothing gave him more pleasure than to take his grandsons fishing and catching the “big” fish. He loved having all of his family at the lake every summer to play in the water, to boat and fish but most importantly, just enjoying each other and being together.
Jim’s greatest joy and pride were his grandchildren. He had an individual, special relationship with each of them. He loved them unconditionally for who they are and continued to be involved in their lives by attending sporting events and other school functions. He taught us all the true value of family and to work hard. Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew him, especially his family.
Jim’s daughters Leeann Murphy of Everett, Wash., and Lorilee Kasnitz (Bruce) of Polson and his son Larry Guinn (Brenda) of Spokane, Wash.; his sister Helen Smith of Denver, Colo.; and his pride and joys, his five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held sometime in the spring. A date will be announced. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
