Jonathan Paul Guenther

Jon was the Valedictorian of his 8th grade class and was confirmed into the Lutheran faith at Church of the Open Bible in Whiteriver AZ in 1947. He completed High School at Dr. Martin Lutheran College and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona.

Jon proudly served this country as an active-duty officer of the U.S. Army from Sept. 28th 1955 to Sept. 27th 1957.

He was married to the love of his life, Sharon Kay Koch, on April 18th of 1959 at Grace Lutheran church in Tucson AZ. At the time of his death, they had shared 63 years of marriage. He was proceeded in death by his parents, E. Edgar and Minnie, and his siblings, Wenonah, Edgar, Winifred, Roland, Dorothea, Arthur and Ruth. He is survived in death by his wife Sharon, 2 sons, Derek Paul Guenther (Cheryl) and Bryan Wendell Guenther (Teri), Grandchildren, Jazlyn, Zane, Dylan (Taylor), Lucas, his sister, Myrna Hillyard (Guenther), many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Jon worked as Product Development Engineer for 3 years for Ford Motor Company at the Arizona Proving Ground in Kingman AZ. From there he went to work as a Site Engineer, Area Engineer and Contracts Engineer for Graver Tank and MFg. Co. on Titan II Missile sites. He finished his career working for Tucson Electric Light and Power Co. serving in various Supervisory positions for 28 years retiring in Feb. of 1992. Jon was a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Arizona, was 1984 Arizona Engineer of the Year in Industry, and 1990 Southern Arizona Engineer of the Year. He was also appointed a Life Member of the Southern Arizona Mechanical Contractors Association and the Electric League of Arizona.

In addition to his successful career and accomplishments, Jon has written 2 fascinating books about growing up on the Apache Indian Reservation. He was active in many organizations including, Electric League Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and Arizona Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers, American Theatre Organ Society and Western Pyrotechnic Association. He also served his church at Grace Lutheran of Southern Arizona in many capacities such as singing in the choir, heading up the organ committee, serving on Pioneer and Ranger committees and countless projects on the church grounds and building.

Jon’s hobbies included traveling with his wife and family, working on old cars, restoring antiques, many years and miles of mall walking, going to concerts and hearing as many pipe organs as he could across the country. His sense of humor has touched everyone who has ever come in contact with him. Even in his last days, that sense of humor came through to his medical care-givers.

He was a devoted and loving husband, Father, Father-in-law, Grandfather, Brother and Uncle to many who loved him dearly. He will be missed by many here on our earthly journey. We look forward to reuniting with him in Heaven where we too will claim Christ’s Victory through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.