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The Rev. Brian George McGuire, 52, of Grand Rapids
Published 9:57am Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Updated 11:58am Tuesday, January 31, 2012Brian McGuire, died suddenly of a heart attack at his home on Jan. 27, 2012.
Brian was born on April 12, 1959, to Walter Joseph and Judith Ann (Gibisch) McGuire in Chicago, Ill. He was a lover of fishing, hunting, baseball, wrestling, the Chicago Cubs, the great outdoors and most of all, his family, his church and Jesus.
Brian and his family moved to Fergus Falls when he was a sophomore in High School. He was a graduate of Fergus Falls High School, class of 1977.
He attended Fergus Falls Junior College, and then earned a degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in 1980. He worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for several years.
Brian married Bonnie Lynn Vollbrecht on Aug. 28, 1982. They would have celebrated 30 years of marriage in August.
Brian and Bonnie felt the call to ministry when they were first married and they both attended Shiloh Bible Training Institute in Hamilton, Mont., in 1982-83.
After leaving Montana, they returned to Jamestown, N.D., and Brian continued to work summers with the USFWS. Their first child, Benjamin Paul was born Sept. 20, 1983, in Jamestown, N.D. They lived in Jamestown, Kensal and Spiritwood, N.D., during his seasonal work with the USFWS. Continuing to feel the call of God on their lives, Brian attended Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, N.D., in 1984-1986. He earned another bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies in 1986.
Their second child Amie Catherine was born between their two years at Trinity on May 21, 1985.
He was licensed by the North Dakota District of the Assembly of God in 1986.
After graduating Trinity, Brian became the Assistant (Youth) Pastor at Maranatha Assembly of God in New Richmond, Wis. Their third child, Jedidiah Jon, was born on May 9, 1988, in New Richmond.
Brian’s second pastorate was as the assistant pastor at First Assembly in Waupaca, Wisconsin from 1988 to 1991. Their fourth child, Ian Christopher, was born in Waupaca on Aug. 17, 1990.
Brian was ordained with the Assembly of God in 1990.
Brian became the Senior Pastor at Floodwood Assembly of God in late 1991. They remained in Floodwood for seven years. Their fifth child, Daniel Joseph, was born on Nov. 1, 1993, in Grand Rapids. Brian’s final pastorate was at Grand Rapids Assembly of God in Grand Rapids, where he has pastored for the past 13 years. Their sixth child, Brianna Grace was born on June 23, 2001, in Grand Rapids.
Brian is preceded in death by his father, Rev. Walter Joseph McGuire.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his mother, Judy McGuire of Fergus Falls; six children, Ben (Jessica) of Celebration, Fla.; Amie of Grand Rapids ; Jed of St. Charles, Iowa; Ian, Daniel, and Brianna of Grand Rapids; one sister, Mary (Steve) Bangs of Loveland, Colo.; one brother, Matthew (Tasha) McGuire of Fergus Falls; and 13 nieces and nephews.
Memorials are preferred to the Grand Rapids Assembly of God Church.
Visitation: Wednesday, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the church, and one hour prior to the service
Service: 11 a.m. Thursday, at Grand Rapids Assembly of God Church
Clergy: Rev. Clarence St. John
Burial: Itasca-Calvary Cemetery in Grand Rapids.
Funeral Home: Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids
Condolences may be sent online at www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com
