Guy Gene Vawter

Guy Gene Vawter was born April 10, 1936, to Jewel and Claude Vawter in Sherman, TX.  He was the fourth son born into the family. 

When Guy was two years old his mother passed away.  His father wasn’t able to care for him which began a history of Guy living short periods of time with different family members.  When attending family reunions, often he heard “Do you remember when you lived with us?

Guy grew up picking cotton, driving a tractor, milking cows, and every other farm chore that needed to be done wherever he was living.  

As a child of 8 or 9 he was picking cotton and pulling 50 lb. tow sacks, in almost unbearable heat.  For lunch each worker was given a can of beans.  Often while working he kept thinking to himself “There has to be something better than this.”

One of his favorite places to live was with Uncle Jeff and Aunt Mary.  It was there that he was able to consistently attend school.  Just about every day, while riding the bus to school he was provoked into a fight with the same boy, Guy’s cousin Mary Sue will verify Guy won most of the time.  It was that same spirit that enabled him to overcome so many physical difficulties the past few years.

When Guy was about 14, he was on his own.  He was a dependable and hard worker, so it wasn’t difficult for him to find work. 

At 16 he was job hunting in Odessa TX, and found a job at the first Furrs Cafeteria washing dishes.  He was able to rent a one room apartment and got a hot meal at Furrs every day.  He had found where he belonged.  Cliff Andrews the manager of the cafeteria hired Guy and turned out to be key in Guys advancement in the company.  But the greatest gift Cliff Andrews gave Guy was inviting him to church.  It was there where Guy met the Lord and committed his life to God.  

Guy trained in every station in the cafeteria, washing dishes, baking, making salads, butchering, and cooking.  He was promoted to assistant manager and soon became manager.

In 1955 Guy married Betty Jones.  They faithfully attended church and became very involved.  In 1959 Guy was drafted into the Army.  He was told that his job would be held for him until he returned after his two-year tour of duty.

He was stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas and served there about a year.  He and Betty attended church and became fast friends with Pastor Tatum and his family and stayed in touch with them since that time.

In 1961 Guy was discharged from the Army and returned to Odessa, TX and resumed his job as the cafeteria manager.  Shortly after they welcomed their first-born baby Phyllis Marie Vawter.  

In 1964 Guy was promoted to District Manager of the cafeterias in CO.  When he moved to CO there were two cafeterias.  Over the years Guy opened 12 other cafeterias in his district.  He was in charge of hiring and training managers.  Ultimately the future managers were required to have a college degree.  Guy wasn’t fortunate enough to graduate from High School, got a kick out of the fact these college graduates couldn’t figure out basic math.  

Tragedy struck Guy’s family in 1968 when Betty, his wife, who was 29 years old at the time was killed in an airplane accident.  In spite of the devastation, with the help of God, Guy was able to carry on.

In time, Guy married Peggy Weigel.  Their family grew with the addition of a son, Patrick Michael.  At the time of Guy’s death, he and Peggy had been married for 55 years. 

After 35 years of working at Furrs, Guy retired.  Following his retirement, he enjoyed exploring the jeep trails, ghost towns, old mines, and historical sites in Colorado.  For 10 plus years he delivered Meals on Wheels to shut ins, helped his friends and volunteered at church.   

God gave Guy a heart for people which was obvious in his desire to help others.  In return, Guy was deeply loved by his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, his church family, neighbors, co-workers, and friends. 

Guy is survived by his wife Peggy, and children Marie and Patrick, a son in law, Mike, three grandchildren, Marcus, Lindsey (Rob Gustafson), and Caitlin, and three great grandchildren, Rylynn, Landon, and Reagan, who have brought endless joy and lots of fun memories.  

The eight-year-old boy, Guy, found a better way of life than picking cotton.  He found God who gave him a future and a hope and blessed his life abundantly.