D. Duane McGuire

Donald Duane McGuire, 71, of Hurst, Texas passed away on January 29, 2026. He was born May 27, 1954 in Oakley, Kansas, to Donald Dean and Joy L (Mason) McGuire. He lived the first 18 years of his life in western Kansas (Oakley, Colby, Dighton, and Ulysses). In high school, he was active in debate, yearbook photography, radio disc jockey, jazz band (trombone and string bass), Christian student organization, and student government. He was awarded the American Legion Citizen award for demonstrating six qualities that define character: courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship, and service. He graduated from Ulysses High School as valedictorian in May 1972.

He received the prestigious Putnam scholarship to attend Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, where he graduated magna cum laude. There, he met Teresa (Terry) Barthson, who, on May 24, 1974 would become his wife for over 51 years. Terry got a job with McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, Missouri, where Duane continued his education at St Louis University, earning a Master of Social Work degree. He then worked for Missouri Department of Social Services before joining the Organizational Development Team for the newly created Division of Aging. He served as the Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman, helping resolve concerns about possible cases of abuse or neglect of senior citizens.

Duane and Terry’s only daughter, Bridget, was born in Jefferson City, Missouri, on February 16, 1985, completing their family of three. After a year and a half in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on short term assignment for Terry’s work, they moved to Topeka, Kansas in 1986, where Duane worked in IT for Kansas Power and Light and Capitol Federal Savings and Loan. Duane retired in 2013 and began “chasing their daughter across the country and back”, moving to Columbia, Missouri, and Birmingham, Alabama, before settling in Hurst, Texas in 2019.

Duane enjoyed dabbling in various hobbies, trying musical instrument repair, photography, videography, woodworking, wood carving, wood turning, glass lampwork, clowning (creating balloon animals), gospel magic, hospital volunteer, and mall Santa. At various times he was a member of MENSA, Kansas State University Alumni Association, Phi Kappa Phi honor society, Fellowship of Christian Magicians, the Society of American Magicians, Naturally Santa, Lone Star Santas, the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, and the Mid-America Christian Performing Arts Conference.

His passions included his family (especially his grandchildren), church, and supporting local and international missions in Colleyville, Texas; Topeka, Kansas; and Malawi, Africa. He joined mission trips to the United Methodist Committee on Relief Sager Brown disaster relief depot; Ensenada, Mexico; and Russia. He also joined Baptist Builders for Christ on church builds in Pratt, Kansas; Gatlinberg, TN; Indiana; and Wisconsin. And he regularly volunteered time at Mobility Worldwide in Columbia, Missouri, helping build mobility carts for people in other countries who lost the use of their legs. He held various volunteer positions at church throughout the years including Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, Board of Directors, youth group van driver, Vacation Bible School teacher, and more.

Duane was known for his character, his wit, and his wisdom. He strove for excellence in all he did, and he always treated others with dignity and respect. He touched hundreds of lives and made many dreams come true through his work as Santa. 

Duane is survived by his wife Terry, daughter and son-in-law Bridget and Duncan Hopewell, 3 grandchildren (Toby, 8; Piper, 6; and Molly, 2), sister and brother-in-law Donna and Bob Cooper; nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, and other family members.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 10, 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034, and services on Wednesday, February 11, at 2:00 pm at First United Methodist Church of Colleyville, 1000 Church Street in Colleyville, Texas. Graveside service will follow in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions can be made in his name to Mobility Worldwide (mobilityworldwide.org) or the United Methodist Men’s Ministry of First United Methodist Church, Colleyville (fumccolleyville.org).