Lee Russell McGuire

Lee Russell McGuire entered into his Lord's service on May 13, 2026. He was born in Colfax on March 7, 1941, to George E. and Alma R. McGuire. He was the youngest of three children, born 20 years after his sister, MaryLee Klaveano, and 10 years after his brother, Clinton McGuire. He married his sweetheart, Linda K. Hall, on September 11, 1960, beginning a loving partnership that would span 65 years. Together they raised three children: Tina Coe, Rusty McGuire (Kerri), and Rob McGuire (Shantyl). He was a proud grandfather to Ashley Wagemann (Casey), Levi Coe, Conrad McGuire, and Dan McGuire, and a step-grandfather to Anthony(Megan) and Brandon(Colin) Riley. Lee lived in the Cashup, Wash. area his entire life on the same ranch homesteaded by his grandparents in 1883. He attended Thornton Grade School and Rosalia High School before graduating from Washington State University with a degree in Agricultural Mechanization. He began his career with McGregor Company in 1967, managing the Thornton plant, where he worked alongside many local residents with whom he remained in contact throughout his life. He farmed the family ranch from 1975 to 1994, then returned to McGregor Company and retired in 2005. His service to agriculture and his community included serving as president of the Whitman County Wheat Growers in 1980, spending 15 years on the board of the Washington Pea and Lentil Growers, serving as past master of Thornton Masonic Lodge #195 and Rosalia Masonic Lodge #84, serving as past president of the Whitman County Shrine Club in 1998, and maintaining membership in the El Katif Shrine of Spokane, Wash. Lee also volunteered with ACDI/VOCA in the former Soviet Union, making 15 trips to the region. He felt a deep connection to that part of the world through his mother's Volga German roots. He was preceded in death by his parents, George E. and Alma R. McGuire; his sister, MaryLee Klaveano; and his brother, Clinton McGuire. He was especially proud of and deeply interested in the history of his Irish and Volga German heritage. He loved designing farm equipment with his slide rule and had a remarkable ability to design and fabricate plow hitches, harrow carts, and rod-weeder hitches. The family would like to thank the staff at The Courtyard in Colfax, Wash. for the care they provided Lee, as well as the many daily visitors who stopped in to share time and conversation with him. In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to Bethel Steptoe Cemetery, PO Box 74, Steptoe, WA 99174; MS Society, PO Box 54879, Los Angeles, CA, 90054; or Spokane Shriner's Hospital for Children, 911 W 5t Ave, Spokane, WA 99204 A memorial service was held on Thursday, May 28, at 11:00 a.m. at Colfax Lutheran Church located at 309 N. Lake St, Colfax, Wash. with Pastor Ian McMichael presiding.

Lee Russell McGuire

March 7, 1941 - May 13, 2026