Allen Bernard McGuire

As you know, my dear husband of 53 years has gone home to be with the Lord. While I’m thankful that he is no longer struggling with health issues, my family and I miss him terribly. He was a fun, loving, and committed husband, father and grandfather. He is dearly loved, and missed.

The services for Al will be held at the Joshua Mortuary Chapel at 10:30AM on Friday, May 15th. Following will be a Reception at the B.P.O. Elks Lodge at 240 East Avenue K in Lancaster. Al used to love seeing me in bright colors, so I’ve decided not to wear black that day. Our family has decided to celebrate his life, instead of simply mourning his passing. So please feel free to wear bright spring colors, if you choose.

Thank you for all your love and support.

Allen B. McGuire

January 1937 – 30 April 2015

After 13 years since his cancers began off and on, and finally COPD, Al’s life on earth ended sooner than the family expected, but peacefully at home.

Al joined the Air Force in 1955 and retired 20 years later as a Flight Engineer on the C-130 aircraft and remained in Lancaster. His career took him to 33 countries and 48 states where he lived or visited. He then spent another 20 years working for the Air Force and NASA as a civil servant.

A lifetime of album and digital pictures show a happy and fun loving man enjoying his home and two careers, then finally retirement where he could take more trips in his motor home with his wife Carol and sometimes taking their children and grandchildren with them to his hometown in North Dakota and Carol’s in Michigan stopping along the way to sightsee. His favorite trips were to the beach with Pismo in the number one spot.

Besides Carol, his family includes daughter Kelly (Len); Kent (Dana); Kirk; granddaughters Jackie (Russ) and toddler Gemma, Katie (Luis) and baby Evelyn; and, grandson Jake/USN Corpsman. Other than the great-grandchildren now in the family, kids and grandkids plus many friends had fun at Al and Carol’s 50th wedding anniversary party at the Lancaster Elks Lodge in 2011. Al and Carol told stories about how they met at an A&W Root beer stand in 1960 when he was stationed at an Air Force base in that city, and about their lives together ever since.

Al was a story teller. His wife, children and grandchildren enjoyed hearing the details of things he did or saw being able to name who he was with and when. His memory was amazing! Those stories will last forever in everyone’s hearts and memories.

His all-time favorite sport was golfing where he spent many hours on the golf course, usually at Edwards Air Force Base. Al was a big winner in the annual POW/MIA tournament one year, winning the first place prize. The event was in support of the children of deceased veterans from the Vietnam Era War.

Al was proud to join the Lancaster Elks lodge in the 80s when they started golfing tournaments for members and continued his membership to this date. He was a member of the Blessed Junipero Serra Parish in Quartz Hill where for many years he was a Greeter and an Usher.

At the Joshua Memorial Park and Mortuary, 808 E. Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster there will be a Catholic prayer service from Blessed Junipero Parish followed by a military Honor Guard ceremony on May 15th at 1030. Reception follows at the Lancaster B.P.O.Elks 1625 on 240 E. Ave. K. hosted by the Emblem Club #76.

Should you wish to do so, you may donate in honor of Al to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=66&campaignSource=WEBSITE&source=ONLINE in lieu of flowers.