Guy Baggett

Arthur Guy Baggett, 94, of Stow and longtime resident of Bucyrus died Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Akron City Hospital where he was being treated for a recent heart attack and stroke.

The oldest of 10 children, Guy was born August 12, 1920 in Clarksville, Tenn. to the late Edgar and M. Ethel (Perry) Baggett. He grew up throughout Tennessee and graduated from Charlotte (TN) High School in 1941. Guy had a keen business sense and moved to Ypsilanti, Mich. to own and operate a diner called Guy’s Quick Lunch. He enlisted in the US Navy during WW2, serving from 1942-1946 and visited Ohio with a friend where he met Mary K. Derr. Guy’s persistence paid off when Mary agreed to marry him after his third proposal and they wed on August 9, 1947. At the urging of his father-in-law, with whom he was very close, Guy enrolled in the Univ. of Cincinnati where he majored in business and education. He and Mary moved to Tennessee where he excelled in sales for Western Auto before moving to Xenia, Ohio in 1952 to own and operate his own store. Guy had a passion for distributive education and the practical skills it offered. He sold his store and embarked on his high school education career in Xenia and Beaver Creek before moving to Bucyrus where he taught until 1985 at Bucyrus High School.

Guy had a strong sense of community and was a natural leader. Regardless of what he did, he was “all in” and passionate. He was a member and leader of countless organizations over the years, including the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, YMCA Indian Guides and, after his sons showed interest, Little League and the Boy Scouts as well. As a teacher, he was proud of his students’ DECA accomplishments and served on a number of boards at the local and state levels for DECA and education associations. He was very active in the Bucyrus Rotary Club, serving in every official capacity and named a Paul Harris Fellow three times. He served on the board of the Salvation Army and Council on Aging, overseeing its current building’s construction. He also was instrumental in the building of the Bucyrus YMCA as a board member and he was an active volunteer at the Crawford County Courthouse where he was organizing the schedule well into his 80s. He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a teacher, elder and more.

Guy loved his family and encouraged them to follow their dreams and be successful. He kept in touch regularly, using any of the latest means available, making regular phone calls and sharing pictures and videos via email and Facebook. He looked forward to family reunions in Tennessee and day trips with visiting family.

Guy is survived by his sons, Art Baggett and wife Phyllis Weber of El Portal, Calif., David Baggett and wife Tina Grill of Woodstock, NY and Steve Baggett and wife Ellen (Culler) of Brimfield, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Fritz Baggett (wife, Lindsey Jean Eilts), Allison Baggett, Lane Baggett (wife, Andrea Gutierrez), Emily Baggett, Emma (Brett) Baucher, Hannah (Mike) LaScola and Owen Baggett; three great grandchildren, Nevada June, Angel and Ezra; brother, Robert Baggett; sisters, Ruth (Melvin) Bess, Margaret Edwards and June Baskin and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife of 62 years, Guy was preceded in death by brothers, Edgar, Jimmy and Johnny Baggett and sisters, Hazel Hafner and Mary D. Aman.

Guy’s family will receive friends on Friday, March 27 from 4-7 p.m. at Wise Funeral Service where Masonic Funeral Rites will be read to conclude the evening. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Bucyrus with Pastor John Cory officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery where full military rites will be given by the US Navy and American Legion Post 181 Honor Guards.

Memorial donations are encouraged to be given to First Presbyterian Church or the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund through the funeral home and memories can be shared in a Memorial Guestbook entry below.



Visitation:

Friday, March 27, 2015 4-7 p.m.

Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Service:

Saturday, March 28, 2015 10:30 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Cemetery:

Oakwood Cemetery, 835 Kaler Ave., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820