David Charles McGuire, 92, died on March 27, 2015 in Denton, TX. He was born in Waldo, KS on November 22, 1922 to Willis Chester and Eunice Belle (Galley) McGuire. Growing up in rural northeast Kansas, he graduated from Keats High School in 1940. His father, a Methodist minister and public school teacher, directed city bands everywhere they lived, and David learned to play a multitude of instruments at an early age. He attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, and after serving in the Army during World War II he graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1947. Thanks to the G.I. Bill he was able to earn a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Michigan in 1948 and a Doctor of Music Education degree from Indiana University in 1959. He directed public school bands in Anthony and Planeview, Kansas and in Brighton, Colorado. He was the director of wind ensembles, percussion ensembles and music education at Beloit College, Wisconsin before moving to Denton in 1962. He became Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music Education at North Texas State University (now UNT). In addition to conducting the Women's Chorus, he was the organizational director of the Percussion Ensemble before there was a full-time percussion faculty member.
He was voted "Honor Professor" at the University of North Texas and was named Professor Emeritus by the College of Music upon his retirement in 1987. Southwestern College also bestowed an honorary doctorate on him and inducted him into both the SC Fine Arts and Education halls of fame.
He married Katherine Elaine Isely on June 15, 1944, and for 58 years they raised a family, contributed to church and community, and made a lot of great music together. David was a teacher, mentor and friend to many generations of music educators. He also served as a "bonus" father to innumerable nephews, nieces, and other young people -- teaching them how to fish, hunt, camp, garden, and in general how to be better human beings. A lifelong Methodist, he taught many generations of Sunday School, directed adult church choirs in Colorado and Wisconsin, and led many "hymn sings" in churches, camps, and living rooms.
Katherine pre-deceased him on September 28, 2002. On April 13, 2007 he married Ruth Neufeld Cooper Davis, a long-time family friend and treasured member of the extended McGuire family. They traveled the country for several years while health permitted, and happily attended countless concerts at the University of North Texas.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth; children, David Charles McGuire, Jr. and wife Jane (Langer); daughter, Susan Elise McGuire Cooksey and husband Bill; and son, Dr. Timothy Christian McGuire and wife Jody (Williams); grandchildren Max, Charlie and Caitie McGuire; Will Cooksey; and Molly, Sally and Joy McGuire; brothers Jim and Ben McGuire; and sister Charlotte Wagoner.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Locust, Denton, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the David C. and Katherine I. McGuire Music Education Scholarship fund at the University of North Texas; to the Monroe Building Fund at First United Methodist Church, Denton; or to the fine arts division at Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas.