Read Mr. M John Guillory, Jr's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Mr. M John Guillory, Jr

Diamondhead, MS, USA

July 24, 1946 - May 4, 2021

Jul 24, 1946 - May 4, 2021

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M. John Guillory, Jr., 74, of Diamondhead, Mississippi died peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded in his final months by the love and care of those he spent his life pouring love into. He is so deeply missed.

He was born July 24, 1946 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he was raised and attended Goodwood Elementary (c/o 1960), Baton Rouge High School (c/o 1964), and Louisiana State University (c/o 1969). At LSU, he gained his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering along with a lifelong obsession with LSU football. In 1991, he also completed his Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at the University of South Alabama.

After graduating from LSU, John spent his career making important contributions in the field of chemical manufacturing, first at Dupont from 1969 to 1974, and then dedicated the remainder of his career to Ciba Specialty Chemical (formerly Ciba-Geigy) in Macintosh, Alabama until he retired from his role of Production Manager in 2001.

John was a ninth-generation son of Louisiana. Only one generation removed from the small Louisiana town of Ville Platte, he embodied the town’s renowned love of music and cajun cuisine. He applied his innovative nature and pursuit of perfection to every area of interest in his life, which included cooking five star-worthy cuisine to perfecting the sound quality of his massive music collection with hand-built stereo equipment. He delighted in sharing the fruits of these enthusiasms with others.

In retirement, he enjoyed pursuing these passions, exploring new talents such as stained glass art, and volunteering his time to those in need. He served as a child advocate through CASA, giving comfort and a voice to children in difficult circumstances. He assisted in FEMA’s disaster recovery efforts through multiple hurricanes, again helping people in the hardest times of their lives, He was an active member of his church and several local clubs, and served his children and grandchildren in innumerable ways.

He and his wife, Anne Dawes Guillory, together enjoyed the company of their friends, cooking together, traveling, attending concerts, and, of course, attended LSU football games. John and Anne were members of Christ Episcopal Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. John’s last rites were delivered by Father Seth Walley, who also joined the couple in marriage in January 2021.

John is survived by his wife, Anne; his four children, Michelle (Kris) Vilamaa, David (Emily) Guillory, Megan (Alec) Owens, and Rachelle Henderson; his eight grandchildren, Collin McInnish, Caitlin McInnish, Aiden Guillory, Kalle Vilamaa, Marshall Guillory, Adam Owens, Ryan Owens, and Michelle Owens; his sister, Margaret Evangeline, and her three sons, Michael (Wendy) Wirstrom, John (Evelyn) Wirstrom, and Charles Wirstrom. John is also survived by the mothers of his children, Lucetta Kiefer and Sherry Touchstone Guillory.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin J. Guillory Sr. and LaVera Moore Guillory.

The family invites those that wish to celebrate his life to a memorial service on John’s 75th birthday, Saturday, July 24, 2021 from 2:00 pm at the LSU Alumni Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. All are welcome to attend and pay respects and share stories about John’s incredible life. For more details, please call Megan Owens at 251-654-6448 or Michelle Vilamaa at 334-220-7258.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor John’s memory may consider donating to the M JOHN GUILLORY JR STEM LAB at Bright Beginnings Academy School for Gifted Dyslexic Children. This brand-new facility will be a legacy of John’s love of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and his desire to foster this curiosity in others by bringing STEM concepts to life. Tax-deductible donations can be made on Bright Beginnings Academy's PayPal Page or by mail to 3590 Pleasant Valley Rd, Mobile, AL 36609, noting the donation is for the M JOHN GUILLORY STEM LAB.

and in the end
the love you take
is equal to the love
you make

-The last lyric of the last song
on the last Beatles album

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