John Roland Guice MD

John Roland Guice, M.D. passed away on April 15, 2016. His visitation will be on Sunday evening from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home on Monday. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery. Bro. Phil Waldrep is officiating.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph Edgerton and Velma Smith Guice.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 36 years, Joan Wallace Guice, sons, John Roland Guice Jr.(Jill) of Manassas, VA, Tim Bjornseth(Shannon)of Decatur, AL and Dr. Edward Guice(Dr. Michelle Guice)of Decatur, AL, daughters, Jennifer Bjornseth of Decatur,AL , and Annette Guice of Clarksville, TN, Sisters, Elizabeth Taylor, and Louise Orr Peck(James) both of Hendersonville, NC, grandchildren, Emily Guice, Carter Guice, Gabrielle Guice, and Layne Bjornseth.

He was a University of Tennessee graduate, where he received a bachelor of science degree in dairy manufacturing in 1956. He later attended medical school at the University and graduated in 1960. His internship was served at a Miami, FL hospital, and immediately following, he entered the U.S. Public Health Service.

His work with Public Health included a year at the Narcotics Hospital at Lexington, KY, and a year at an Indian hospital in Sante Fe, NM. Dr. Guice worked here in Decatur as a physician for 35 years, and was known as a great diagnostician, and was beloved by all of his patients and colleagues. He would see patients on his lunch break, and never turned anyone down for care. He was the GE Decatur Plant physician for over 15 years, and received the Paul Harris Fellow Certificate, and was a member of Decatur Rotary, and Shriners. He helped build and co-own Southeastern Horse Center, currently the Celebration Arena in Priceville.

He loved fishing, farming, and taking care of his cattle.

He will always be remembered for his caring friendship, whether in the office, hospital, or when he met you on the street.

Pallbearers include Jimmy Cantrell, Tom Wright, Garrett Wallace, Gregg Wallace, Glendon Easter, and Mac McCulloch. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. P.J. Ready, Dr. Joseph Backe, and Bill Leonard.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Shriners Children’s Hospital.