John Holliday “Jack” McGuire, age 94, of White Sulphur Springs

John Holliday (Jack) McGuire, age 94, passed away peacefully on the evening of October 27, 2025 at Mountainview Medical Center in White Sulphur Springs.

Jack was born May 21, 1931, at the McKay Hospital, the fourth child of George and Clarisse (Holliday) McGuire.   He spent his early years at the family ranch on Sheep Creek, part of the fourth generation living in the homestead house built by his step great-grandfather.  He attended the Cabin Creek school where he was proud to proclaim that he was the smartest kid in his class.   The typical response to this claim was that he was the only kid in his class.  Living on the remote ranch Jack and his siblings found ways to entertain themselves including taming a pet fawn they named “Honey.”  Jack told a story of a time when he and his brother Mike, ages 12 and 10, were sent to town in the family Model A car to attend religious education classes.  After the struggles they had getting to town they decided against the plans they had to drive the car around town and parked it for the two weeks of classes.  They didn’t drive again until it was time to return to the ranch.  The family bought the ranch close to White Sulphur Springs on the South Fork of Smith River in 1946 and the younger boys enrolled in the local high school.  Jack graduated in 1950 and went on to attend Carroll College in Helena for one year before transferring to Montana State College in Bozeman, where he graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and Industrial Arts.

Jack married Lois Cox on September 1, 1955, and after a long life together recently celebrated their 70^th anniversary.  They raised a family of five boys, David John, Michael Patrick, Timothy Charles, Kevin Holliday and Sean Edward.  Following Jack’s graduation from college they moved to Edgar, Montana where he taught science and industrial arts as well as coaching for several years at Edgar High School.  He later returned to the family ranch where he lived for the rest of his life. Jack truly enjoyed working as a rancher, expanding and improving the ranch over the years.  His priorities were always his family and his ranch.  He was a good craftsman, mechanic and has always been known as a master storyteller.

Jack served the community in a variety of ways over the years.  He was a founding member of the rodeo club, served on the draft board, the ASCS board, St. Bartholomew’s parish board, the school board and taught hunters’ safety for many years.  He also served as a member of the Federal Land Bank for a number of years helping to support the agricultural industry in Montana.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, George and Clarisse McGuire, siblings Esther, George and Mike McGuire and Marie Hanson and sons Kevin and Sean McGuire.  He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lois, sons David (Tana Meeds) McGuire, Mike (Lori) McGuire and Tim (Sheryl) McGuire; grandchildren Ian and Claire McGuire, Brigit McGuire (Ricardo Escobar), Erin Desmond, Kelly McGuire (Greg Mengel), Darcy McGuire (Chuy Renteria), Connor McGuire (Sherry Phan), Maia and Jason McGuire and great- grandchildren Oliver Escobar McGuire, Gavin and Harrison Desmond, Fiona, Rowan, Kieran and Seamus Mengel, Marisol and Luna Renteria as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on November 8, 2025, 11 am, at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic church, White Sulphur Springs, Montana.  Burial will follow at Mayn Cemetery with a reception at the Meagher County Community Center.  Memorials are suggested to St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Service Schedule

Funeral Mass

11:00am

Saturday November 8, 2025

St. Bartholomew Catholic Church

407 2nd Ave. SE

White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645

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Burial

Following the Funeral Mass

Saturday November 8, 2025

Mayn Cemetery

4108 US-12

White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645

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Reception

Following the Graveside Service

Saturday November 8, 2025

White Sulphur Springs Community Center

101 1st Ave SE

White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645

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