John Garwood Guintire

John “Jack” Guintire, 89, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2026, at the home of his daughter, Christine, in Firestone, Colorado.

Jack was born on April 21, 1937, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Hildur “Nanny” and William “Bill” Guintire. He grew up in Austin, Minnesota, and was always proud of his hometown—the “Home of SPAM.” A proud and tough Scandinavian, Jack carried that Minnesota spirit, resilience, and practicality with him throughout his life.

In January 1955, Jack joined the United States Navy, where he proudly served aboard the USS Northampton (CLC-1). After his military service, he began what would become a long and successful career with IBM. He married Janet Sale in 1959, and that same year they welcomed their first child, JoAnne. Their son, John Jr., arrived a year and a week later, followed seven years later by their daughter, Christine.

Jack’s natural curiosity and his ability to understand how things worked made him an exceptional problem solver. He had a gift for learning, fixing, and figuring things out, and those qualities served him well throughout his career as an IBM Field Engineer. He was highly regarded by his colleagues and earned numerous service awards for his dedication and expertise. His IBM career took the family to Chicago for a time before bringing them back to Minnesota. Later, Jack transferred to the IBM facility in Boulder, Colorado, where he retired in 1992. Not quite ready to stop working, he continued as a supplemental employee until 1998, finally bringing his long IBM career to a close.

In December 1983, Jack made one of the most important choices of his life when he chose sobriety. He committed himself to living a sober life and remained dedicated to that path for more than 40 years. Along the way, he became a strong mentor and inspiration to many. His journey was a source of strength not only for himself, but for countless others who were fortunate enough to know him.

Retirement opened the door to one of Jack’s greatest passions: cycling. He embraced it wholeheartedly, completing the incredibly challenging Ride the Rockies 18 times. He also participated in numerous other cycling events, including the Triple Bypass and Courage Classic. Cycling became much more than a sport for Jack—it became a community. Through it, he found some of his closest and most treasured friends.

Jack loved people and loved being part of the action. He had a quick wit, a generous heart, and a remarkable ability to make people feel welcome. He was handy, helpful, curious, and never judgmental. His favorite offer was often, “I can give you a hand…” And he meant it. If something needed fixing, carrying, figuring out, or simply doing, Jack wanted to help.

He especially loved his family and treasured his grandchildren. He was a devoted grandfather and was particularly involved in the life of his grandson Nathan (Nate). Jack rarely missed a baseball, basketball, or football game. He became a familiar and beloved face in the stands—so much so that everyone knew Jack was there.

His friendships were equally important to him. His coffee crew became like family, providing countless conversations, laughs, and memories. His cycling friends became some of his closest companions as well. Jack also shared a special bond with his nieces and nephew, especially Beth, Heather, Karee, and Rick.

Above all, Jack will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, humor, and willingness to help. He had a heart of gold and was truly a friend to all. He didn't need to be the center of attention—he simply wanted to be involved, connected, and useful. His presence made life a little easier and a lot more fun for the people around him.

Jack is survived by his children, Christine (Dan) Higgins and John Guintire Jr.; grandchildren Joshua Guintire, Robert Perez-Braly, Mariah (Brett Landgrebe) Higgins, Sydney (Shawn) Vasquez, and Nathan (Maisie) Higgins; and his great-grandson, Isaac Vasquez, whom he adored. He is also survived by his ex-wife and lifelong friend, Janet Guintire, and her brother, David (Kelly) Sale.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, JoAnne; his parents, Hildur and William Guintire; his brother, Bill Guintire; and his sisters, Julie Bawek and Mary Jo Rasmussen.

Jack leaves behind a lifetime of people who were better for having known him. His curiosity, humor, generosity, resilience, and willingness to lend a hand will live on in the many lives he touched.

He will be deeply missed—and if there is something 'up there' that needs fixing, we can be pretty sure Jack has already said, “I can give you a hand.”

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 12:00–3:00 p.m. at American Legion Post 32, 315 S. Bowen St., Longmont, Colorado.

As a fitting tribute to Jack’s proud Navy service, an Honor Guard ceremony will begin at 12:00 p.m. and will include a reading, Taps, and the ceremonial folding and presentation of the American flag.

Following the ceremony, family and friends are invited to share stories, memories, and laughter as we celebrate Jack’s life. Light food and drinks will be provided.

Attire: Casual! Wear a cycling jersey, a SPAM shirt, or whatever you’re comfortable in. Jack would have liked it that way.

Parking: Please note that non-member guests may not use the member-only parking lots surrounding the American Legion. Guest parking is available in the lot across the street, between the Legion and the car wash. Street parking is also available nearby.

Come ready to remember Jack, share a story, have a laugh, and celebrate a life well lived.