Gary Gene Guinn aka “Mr. Guinn”

A Washington native, Gary Gene Guinn, was born Feb. 17, 1945, at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle and passed peacefully on March 29, 2012 at Bailey-Boushay House in Seattle. Gary’s childhood was primarily spent living in the Seattle area, but he also lived in Alaska (when it was a territory) and Hawaii (just after statehood).

He graduated from Franklin High School (Seattle) in 1963. Gary graduated from Central Washington State College (now CWU) where he was involved in many campus activities. He earned his Master’s in Education in 1970. Mr. Guinn’s teaching career started at Langley High School on Whidbey Island in 1967. He taught at Issaquah High School for the 1969-1970 school year, and then returned to Langley and taught Business Education until 1977.

Gary continued his teaching career and taught at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon from 1977-2010. He taught Accounting at Edmonds Community College 2004-2005. Gary was honored by the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants as the 1996-1997 Outstanding Community/Technical College Educator. He also received the Puget Sound Energy Excellence in Teaching Award at Skagit Valley College in 2001. In addition to his teaching career, he passed the CPA exam in 1989 and was an active member of the Washington Society of CPAs, serving on its Board of Directors 2003-2005.

A roller coaster enthusiast, Gary was an active member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts. He traveled throughout the U.S. and England riding coasters. His favorites were Millennium Force at Cedar Point, Tremors at Silverwood, Expedition Everest at Walt Disney World, and California Screamin’ at Disneyland. Gary loved to travel and spent time in Europe (especially England), the Caribbean, and touring the U.S. He frequented Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Gary highly recommends cruising as a great form of travel. His pleasures in life were Salty’s Asiago Halibut, Kimo’s Hula Pie, chocolate buffets, Skagit Valley strawberries and raspberries, and banana cream pie from the Pie Goddess in Enumclaw.

Gary invites you to come have lunch on his bench at Skagit Valley College or his parents’ bench at Howard Miller Steelhead Park at Rockport or Wooten Park at Redondo, Wash.

Gary is survived by his sister Susan Guinn Hickey (husband Tom), brother David Carl (wife Tamara), nephews Travis and Brandon, and niece Olivia Margaret; long time companion Dan Lindsley, Jr., and many close friends. Gary loved his aunts, uncles and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Margaret, and sister Penny Sue. He is no doubt happy to see them again.

Gary was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis—ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in March 2009. The disease dramatically changed his life as well as everyone who knew him. He lived his final months at the Bailey-Boushay House in Seattle.

Remembrances to the ALS Association – Evergreen Chapter (ALSA-EC.org).

Celebrate Gary by participating in the Double Day Bike Ride in Skagit Valley (July 28-29, 2012) or your local ALS Walk. 

Gary — Teacher and Friend – Overall Awesome Guy!