Jim Ray McGuire

James (Jim) Ray McGuire, 81 of Shawnee, Oklahoma passed away peacefully at his home Thursday, October 12, 2023. Jim was born on January 14, 1942 in Alva, Oklahoma to Ray and Lula McGuire, who proceeded him in death, also preceding him in death was his wife Carol. Jim graduated from Alva High School in Alva, Oklahoma in 1960. After receiving his Associates in Science from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 1965, he began his Industrial Arts Teaching career at Moore High School in Moore, Oklahoma, with a pencil and a hammer. While teaching, many side jobs of remodeling work and building cabinets, Jim continued his education by attending Oklahoma State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Trade and Industrial Education in 1980.

His trade experience started in 1958 after taking a woodshop class. In 1960, while still a high school student, his residential construction career began. Beginning in 1972, Jim operated his own private contracting business, Jim McGuire Construction, as well as continuing to teach. He along with his students built and remodeled several homes and businesses in communities across the state. A dog rescue facility was even built in Holdenville, Oklahoma, (Jim was a huge dog enthusiast. Always having one, two, three or four dogs running around his yard, sometimes even litters of hunting pups).

Jim was a member of many state, local and national vocational organizations. He held offices for several different trade organizations, a few to include are the Builders homeowners associations of Moore and of Shawnee, Oklahoma and the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. He received numerous awards, certifications and recognitions for his work and contributions to the trade in vocational education of local communities. Two of the most prestigious were the National Outstanding Trade and Vocational Instructor of 1982 and the Associated General Contractors of America Outstanding Vocational Educator in a Construction Vocational Program award in 1986. He was also very proud of being a recipient of the AGCOA “Master Carpenter” recognition.

Jim enjoyed quail and pheasant hunting with his brother-in-law’s Ronnie and JD on the farm east of Alva as well as floating on the water in a tube catching fish.

Jim will be missed by his family; sister Jean Ann Cowgill of Eufaula, OK; daughter Koleen Paschal and husband Mike of OKC, OK, son Shawn McGuire and wife Enid of Chandler, OK: daughter Gretchen Sweeney-Groseta and husband Paul of Cottonwood, Arizona; daughter Jenny Kile and husband Jeff of Philadelphia, PA and son Ryan McGuire and partner Brittany of Lincoln City, OR; 10 grandchildren, Tabitha, Terrah, Kirsten, Shelbi, Jake, Dylan, Grace, Peter, Abigayle and Trystin; 8 great-grandchildren, Mikaylee, Ally, Caden, Krissy, Maggie, McPherson, Mia and Cason; nephew, Justin Walters and Wife Cassie of Charlotte Hall, MD as well as a multitude of cousins and friends.

A visitation for James will be held Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home, 44909 Highway 3, Shawnee, OK 74801. A funeral service will occur Friday, October 20, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavenfh.com for the McGuire family.