Darrell W. Mcguire

Darrell Wayne McGuire, 62, of Lynchburg, made the transition from his earthly home to his Heavenly Home on Wed. Feb. 8, 2017, after a short battle with complications from cancer treatments.

Darrell was born on Oct. 27, 1954, to George and Wylene Tweedy McGuire. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Erica, and their daughter Kimberly Lynn of Portland, Ore.; a sister, Karen Hale and her husband, Billy, of Lynchburg; and a brother, Brian McGuire and his wife, Kimberly, of Rustburg.

Darrell graduated from Rustburg High School in 1973. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the US Air Force. During his tour of duty he was stationed at Kunsan Air Base in Korea, where he met Erica.

After his discharge in 1977, he worked for Mead Corp for a short time. In July of 1979, he and Erica moved to Aurora, Colo. so he could attend Colorado Aerotech Aviation School. Upon completion of the two year course he received his FAA Certified Air Frame and Engine License. Soon after, he got a job with Gates Learjet in Tucson, Ariz. A year or two later he was laid off due to the economic downturn. They left Arizona and went to San Diego and Darrell got a job with Ford Aerospace working on the controversial Sgt. York Gun Tank until the government cancelled the contract. Kimberly was born while they were in San Diego.

Later on they moved to LA, and Darrell worked for Lockheed and McDonnell-Douglas aircraft plants. While at Lockheed he worked on the C-17 military cargo Jet.

Sometime in the mid 90’s, after getting laid off from McDonnell-Douglas again due to business conditions Darrell decided to venture to Seattle in hopes of landing a job with Boeing. After arriving in Seattle he found aircraft business to be down there and they were not hiring. So, they moved on to Portland, Ore. He found work there at Fred Meyers Stores as a security guard. Later on he went to work for Fed-Ex at the Portland Airport until they decided to come back to Virginia in 2008.

We were thankful that they came back so we could spend some time with them. Kimberly was a grown girl by then and had a good job in Portland, so she stayed there and still lives there.

Of all the jobs Darrell had I think he liked being a security guard the most. He studied law enforcement at the Horry County Community College while he was stationed at Myrtle Beach, S.C. He worked at numerous places as a security guard, mostly part time.

His last jobs he worked before he became too ill to work were a full time job with Westminster-Canterbury and a part time job at CVCC.

Darrell had a love for guns. He loved to collect them and he loved to go to the target range. He also loved to restore and refinish old guns. Also, he liked to work on computers and automobiles and was pretty good with either.

Darrell was a Baptist by faith and he credits Jerry Falwell, Sr. with leading him to the lord many years ago.

There will be a memorial service for Darrell at the Bridge Community Church, 1030 McConville Rd., Lynchburg, on Sat. Feb. 11, 2017, at 2 p.m.

The Family would like to thank all the Doctors, Nurses and Hospital Staff for their support while he was at LGH and all the Nurses and staff at The Hospice House for their loving care and kindness during his last days there.

Also, we would like to thank all our friends for their prayers and support during this tragedy.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the American Cancer Society or Centra Hospice of Lynchburg. 

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.