Thomas Howard McGuire Jr.

Thomas Howard McGuire, Jr passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, and what a loss to this world. He was in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France hiking the Camino de Santiago, a longtime dream of his. His final days were filled with adventure and expectation and until the very last second he was, as always, full of joy and happiness.

Born on March 19, 1947 in Atlanta, Georgia, Tom spent the bulk of his childhood in Houston, Texas. A lifelong lover of learning, he graduated from Emory University in 1969 with a BA in English and went on to earn a PhD in Philosophy-Music in 1975 and a Masters in Business Administration in 1978, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

His life was characterized by a remarkable knack for developing lasting friendships with all those he encountered. He had a great passion for education, the arts and all things music and philanthropy. He loved to read, travel and play the piano. His intellect, creativity and generous heart were a blessing to all.

But by leaps and bounds the greatest joy in Tom’s life was his family. The love he had for his wife, Barbara, was unlike any other. Affection and devotion like what was between them just cannot be put to words. It was full and unconditional and complete. If you were fortunate enough to know him, you know.

His daughter, Martha, was one of the greatest blessings in his life and he cherished their close relationship. He was especially proud to see her mature into a loving wife and the adoring mother to his two precious granddaughters. He had a joy about his grandchildren that was truly childlike and whimsical. It was full and complete adoration, and it was mutual. He would drop anything at any time to be with them.

Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara Hunter McGuire; his daughter, Martha Sickles Sanders; his son-in-law, John Charles Sanders; his granddaughters, Anna Elise Sanders and Martha Thomas Sanders; his sister, Jean McGuire Quarelli; and his nieces, Heather Lynn Arabie and Lauren Elizabeth Miller.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Howard McGuire and Sarah Lenora O’Neal McGuire and his sister, Marjorie Lynn McGuire.

A celebration of Tom’s life has been re-scheduled for Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Anglican in Raleigh. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Carolina Opera or the SPCA of Wake County, or to the charity of one's choice.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.