Earl Jerome McGuire

Earl Jerome McGuire, age 100, of Overland Park, Kansas, formerly of Jackson, Michigan, passed away on February 22, 2026, and passed peacefully into eternal rest. He was born December 21, 1925, in Davenport, Iowa, and lived a life marked by service, dedication, and quiet strength. Brave, faithful, devoted, hard-working, kind-hearted, loyal, thoughtful, and selfless, Earl will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude by all who knew him.

A proud member of the Greatest Generation, Earl served during the Second World War in the United States Army Air Corps aboard B-24 Liberators in the South Pacific. He was an active member of the 307th Bomb Group Association and the 13th Air Force Association and attended many reunions, including one this past summer in Kansas.

Following his military service, Earl worked more than 40 years as a welder for Aeroquip, a division of Eaton Corporation. Specializing in aerospace rare gas welding, his skilled craftsmanship contributed to civilian, military, and space flight applications—quite literally helping reach the moon and back.

Earl was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arlene McGuire; his son, Michael McGuire; and his grandson, Matthew McGuire. He is survived by his son, David McGuire and wife Debra; grandsons David McGuire II and wife Johanna, Ryan McGuire, and Sean McGuire; and his great-grandson, Cameron McGuire, along with extended family and friends who will deeply miss him.

Visitation will be held at Burden-Patience-Montgomery Funeral Home, 1806 East Michigan Avenue, Jackson, MI 49202, on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. A Funeral Service will follow at Burden-Patience-Montgomery Funeral Home on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 6:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Project Recover at projectrecover.org, helping to bring our MIA service members from past conflicts home.