Dr. Robert L. “Bob” McGuire 1931-2012
Dr. Robert L. “Bob” McGuire of Auburn died on Feb. 27, at UAB University Hospital in Birmingham. McGuire was born on Aug. 7, 1931, to Ralph and Sallie McGuire in Brevard, N.C.
He graduated from Brevard High School in 1950 where he lettered in football and was active in the Future Farmers of America organization. He attended Brevard College and was a member of the football team. On June 20, 1954, he married Ann Cudd of Brevard and they moved to Raleigh, N.C. so he could resume his college studies. With Ann’s help and support, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry from North Carolina State University in 1957. He served as Assistant County Agent in Durham County, N.C., then Instructor of Animal Science at N.C. State, where he earned his Master’s degree in Animal Science in 1960. He worked as Extension Animal Husbandry Specialist in the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and then he returned to graduate school and earned a Ph.D. in Animal Physiology from the University of Kentucky in 1965.
After returning to positions at N.C. State, he then served for four years at the University of Georgia as Extension Animal Scientist. His career culminated with 19 years of service at Auburn University as head of Extension Animal Science. He was named Professor Emeritus of Animal Science upon his retirement from Auburn in 1994.
McGuire was an active member of the American Society of Animal Science, serving on committees and the Board at the national and regional level, including President of the Southern Section in 1977-1978. Many family vacations revolved around attending the annual ASAS conferences, held at land grant colleges across the country. He served as Superintendent of the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest at the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago for four years in the 1960s and later served on the National 4-H Animal Science Program Development Committee. He judged livestock shows throughout the United States, including the National Western Show in Denver.
In Alabama, he instituted the Alabama Purebred Beef Breeds Council and contributed extensively in the development of the successful Stocker-700 program. He served as President of the Lee County Cattlemen’s Association, was named Father of the Year by the Lee County Cattlewomen, was recognized with his family as the Alabama Angus Association Family of the Year in 1986, received the Beef Cattle Improvement Association’s Richard Deese Award in 1993, was named Alabama Limousin Breeder of the Year in 1994 and was named Alabama Angus Association Breeder of the Year in 2001.
He was inducted into the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame in 1997, was honored as a Lifetime Director of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, and was recognized by the Alabama Angus Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
Bob traveled to every county in Alabama, was a well-known speaker making hundreds of presentations to agricultural organizations across the state, and wrote a popular monthly column for 19 years in the Alabama Cattleman magazine.
A lifelong Christian, educator and cattleman, Bob was an excellent husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He loved all of God’s creation and never met a stranger. He coached championship little league baseball teams and enjoyed all sports from N.C. State basketball to Atlanta Braves baseball to Auburn football. Bob was ordained as a deacon at St. John’s Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C. He also served as a deacon at Auburn First Baptist Church, where he and Ann were longtime members of the Fishers Sunday School class.
After his retirement, Bob focused on McGuire Cattle Company with his son Mike and pursued his hobby of raising mules, donkeys and horses. He restored his grandfather’s wagon and participated in many wagon ride events with family and his many friends.
Throughout his career and in his active retirement, Bob’s life truly embodied the ideals of the Extension Service creed. He continued as an avid supporter of youth livestock events and was proud of the participation and achievements of his grandsons Clay and Reid.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Ann C. McGuire of Auburn and his brother Wade McGuire of Fletcher, N.C. He is survived by his three children and two grandsons, daughter Karen M. Kennedy and her husband Jeff of Montrose; daughter Jan McGuire of Auburn; and son Mike McGuire, his wife Angelika, and their sons Clay and Reid of Auburn; his wife Jo Ann Baynard McGuire of Brevard, N.C.; his sisters Margaret Raines and her husband William of Mauldin, S.C., and Clara Neill and her husband Wayne of Brevard, N.C.; and many special nieces, nephews and their families, including Pam Pangle Parsons and Jody Pangle of Auburn.
The family suggests memorials to the Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation in support of youth activities, P.O. Box 2499, Montgomery, AL 36102 or Auburn First Baptist Church, 128 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn, AL 36830.
Visitation was held on March 3 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika. Following a private burial at Town Creek Cemetery in Auburn, a memorial service was held on March 4 at 2:30 p.m. at Auburn First Baptist Church. Dr. Jim Evans and Rev. Alica Kirkpatrick-Bremer officiated. A reception followed immediately in the church Fellowship Hall.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.
Dana Carolyn “Carol” Jones Merritt 1945-2012
Dana Carolyn “Carol” Jones Merritt, age 66, of Opelika, died peacefully on March 5, 2012. She was born to Henrietta Ruth Matthews and Fuller C. Jones, Sr. in Roanoke, on June 20, 1945. She is survived by her daughter Deborah Lynne May Robinson (John), Auburn and daughter Dana Carolyn May Weedon (Rusty) Opelika; grandchildren Craig, Ryan, Rachel, Lauren, and Peyton; and brother Fuller C. Jones, Jr. (Carolyn) Merritt Island, Fla. and sister, Lynne Jones Garner (Opelika), sister-in-law Kathy Jones. Stepsons Robert R. Merritt (Cairy Ann) Calif. and David L. Merritt (Va). Stepdaughter Lori Baldree.(Va.),and step grandson, Joshua Baldree. Many loved nieces and nephews. Carol was a schoolteacher for 36 years and taught many children and loved them all. Carol was predeceased by her parents; husband: Robert Earl Merritt; and brother: David M. Jones.
Visitation was held on Wednesday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on March 8, at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel. Dr. Rusty Sowell and Pastor Eric Reebals officiated. Burial was held in Garden Hills Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.
Clinton Pink Jr.
1950-2012
A funeral service for Clinton Pink Jr., 62, of Auburn, was held at 11 a.m. on March 3, at White Street Missionary Baptist Church with interment in Westview Cemetery. Pastor Jamal Oliver officiated.
Pink passed away on Feb. 27, at his home. He was a member of Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. Pink graduated from J.F. Drake High School and Troy University. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served in the National Guard. For many years, he was employed at Grifftex Chemicals and retired from MDT Armor.
His remains laid in state at the church one hour prior to the service.
Survivors include his wife, Annie Pearl Pink, Auburn; one son, Willie Lewis (Mary) Morgan, North Port, Fla.; one daughter, Regina (Tony) Adkins, Opelika; nine grandchildren; four brothers, Rev. John L. (Alberta) Pink and Harvey Pink both of Auburn, Melvin (Beverly) Pink, Wetumpka and Sgt. David Pink, Port Jervis, N.Y.; four sisters, Dorothy Stephens and Marjorie Pink both of Phenix City, Betty (Franklin) Hardnett and Cassie Avery both of Auburn; brothers-in-law, John Henry (Lavenia) Gibson, North Port, Fla. and Johnny Skinner (Lottie) Gibson, Salem; sisters-in-law, Emma Gibson, Syracuse, N.Y. and Ada Gibson, Opelika; aunts, Alice Robinson, Auburn, Lula Floyd, Loachapoka and Ida Glaze, Tuskegee; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Peterson and Williams Funeral Home directed.
Charles E. Newman 1936-2012
A funeral service for Charles E. Newman, age 76, of Opelika was held at 11 a.m. on March 3, at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel. Burial was held at Garden Hills Cemetery. Reverend Hank Demous officiated. Visitation was from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday prior to the service at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.
Newman was born on Feb. 18, 1936, in Tallapoosa County. He passed away at his home on March 1, 2012. He was retired from Ampex/Quantegy with 43 years service, and retired from the Alabama National Guard after 22 years. For 13 years he had run CEN Lawn Service. Charles enjoyed western books and movies and he liked to garden and was known for his garden roses.
Newman is survived by his wife Judy Newman of Opelika; sons, Mitch Newman (Becky) of Notasulga, Russ Newman of Tallassee; granddaughter, Rachel Newman; grandsons, Justin Newman, and Joby Newman; sister-in-law, Betty Newman of Tallassee; sister, Frances Carleton of Aiken, S.C.; special niece, Becky Powell; and several nieces and nephews.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.