Jimmie Lee McGuire

Dr. Jimmie Lee McGuire, age 93, of Spencer, Tennessee peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 16, 2026. Jimmie was born on October 15, 1932, in Mosquero, New Mexico to Ada and Eugene McGuire. His school-age years were split amongst Mosquero, NM, Dalhart, TX, and Elk City, OK. He attended Dalhart High School until the family moved to Elk City in 1951 to care for his ailing grandmother. Jimmie graduated from Elk City Senior High School that same year. He then attended Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) in Stillwater, OK where he obtained a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in May 1956. Jimmie went on to complete a second B.S. degree, this time in Meteorology, at Pennsylvania State University in August 1958.

It was at Oklahoma A&M where he met his sweetheart, Rosalie Jane Rhodes, whom he affectionately called “Rosie” or “Rosebud.” The couple married on September 6, 1955, and had three children together. They eventually moved to Bloomington, IN and settled in to raise their family.

Jimmie was also a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving from 1957 to 1959 as a First Lieutenant. During this time, he forecasted weather in the Pacific Arena for the Strategic Air Command Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, NE. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, he worked as a Chemical Engineer for Dupont in Orange, TX. Jimmie then furthered his career by enrolling in Dental School at Indiana University in Indianapolis, Indiana. He paid his way through school with a research scholarship focused on the benefits of fluoride in the prevention of dental caries in elementary school children. He performed this research under the guidance of Drs. George Stookey and Joseph Muhler, renowned experts in the dental field. This eventually led to fluoride being added to water supplies all over the United States as well as 25 other countries. He graduated with his DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) with honors in 1965, then opened his own practice in Bloomington, IN shortly after graduation, which was eventually expanded and renamed to Gentle Dental in 1986 when he partnered with Dr. Rhett Tharp. It is still in business today under new ownership. Jimmie had a successful 30+ year dental career as a general practitioner. He also took pride in providing affordable dentures to his patients, so he opened two denture clinics - one in Terre Haute, IN and one in Indianapolis, IN. After retiring, he and Rosalie resided in Mesa, AZ, and Texarkana, TX. The last five years were spent in Spencer, TN.

Jimmie had numerous achievements over the course of his lifetime. In 1965, he obtained a patent for printing on plastic film. He started this process while at Dupont. He also ventured into farming with partner, Dr. Tom Childes. They spent many hours at the farm, where they initially raised hogs and cattle and then concentrated on growing corn and soybeans. He served as a song leader at numerous congregations throughout the years and was a respected elder at North Central Church of Christ in Bloomington, IN. He also sang in a barbershop quartet and is a published author of two books (2008, 2014). He was an avid tennis player (playing his last match at age 89!) and enjoyed traveling across the world with his wife Rosalie during their “golden years”. Jimmie had a special interest in gemstones, particularly turquoise. While in Arizona, he cut and polished his own stones, which he then crafted into jewelry using his own unique designs. Later in life, he enjoyed hand-crafting walking canes. Jimmie also dabbled in real estate, which led to the development of Concord Villa subdivision in Spencer, IN and Stonehenge Apartments in Bloomington, IN, among many other property transactions.

He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 69 years Rosalie McGuire (Rhodes), parents Ada and Eugene McGuire, brother Bill McGuire, and sister-in-law Katsuko Rhodes.

Survivors include his children Brad (Kandy) McGuire of Spencer, TN, Julie (Chuck) Hernandez of Osprey, FL, and Jeff (Darrah) McGuire of Texarkana, TX, and five grandchildren Hannah, Haley, Grace, Jake, and Jessie. He also leaves behind brother-in-law John Rhodes, nieces Kim (Richard) Kendrick and Kelly (Jim) McGuire-Gaddis, and several extended family members.

A graveside service celebrating the life of Jimmie will take place at Prairie Creek West Lawn Cemetery, 5501 W. Middletown Road in Prairie Creek, IN on August 22, 2026, at 2:00pm. Brother Doug Downs will be officiating.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to caregiver Martha Urbina Blackmon as well as the Crossville staff of Caris Healthcare for providing compassionate care to Jimmie over the past several months. Additional thanks go to Jerry Brownstead, Post Commander of American Legion Post 163, Brother Doug Downs and his wife Marti, and the Cumberland Heights Church of Christ family for their love and support.

Memorial Donations can be made to Spring Mill Bible Camp, PO Box 508, Mitchell, IN 47446.

Fond memories and expressions of condolences may be made to the family at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com