GUY BARRY WIRTH

1940-2017

Guy Barry Wirth passed away peacefully on April 5, 2017. He was a miraculous 17-year survivor of a glioblastoma brain tumor but eventually succumbed to the side-effects of radiation therapy. He was 76-years old. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Dana WirthSantell; parents, Clarence and Dorothy Wirth; brother, Rick; and sister, Carol Metz.

Guy is survived by his wife of 57 years, Darlene (Barker) Wirth; brothers, Jack and Gary; sons, Gregory and Jeffrey (Elizabeth); twin daughters, Laura and Lynne; five grandchildren, Carol Palombo-London (John); Julia Santell; Samuel, Olivia and Abigail Wirth; and two great grandchildren, Madison and John “Jack” London; six nieces and nine nephews; and cousin, William Tucker.

Guy was born December 25, 1940 in Niles, Michigan. He grew up on the family centennial farm and had fond memories of his childhood. He graduated salutatorian from New Troy High School and received a scholarship from Michigan State University, where he studied chemical engineering. He married his high school sweetheart, Darlene and packed everything into their 55 Ford and moved into married housing in East Lansing.

He attended MSU fulltime, working summers in Michigan. As a teaching assistant at MSU, he was offered a fellowship and went on to get his PhD. in Chemical Engineering.

After graduating in 1968, he was offered a job with Esso (Exxon) Research and Engineering in Florham Park, New Jersey. In 1977 his career took him to the Exxon Chemical plant in Baton Rouge and then to the Exxon Chemical Headquarters in Houston, where he retired March 31, 2000.

Guy did everything he set his mind to—fixing and building things, remodeling the many homes where the family lived, building a barn at their weekend getaway place and restoring an old Ford 9N tractor, or coaching his son’s soccer team. Guy’s focus was always on his family. He was most proud that all of five children attended universities, have careers of their own and like coming home for frequent visits. The family is proud to know that his name is on the commemorative patent wall in the Energy Center at ExxonMobil in Houston for three patents.

He will always be remembered for his intelligence, patience, wisdom, integrity, gentleness and strength and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be held in Houston on April 14 for family and friends.