To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Texas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Texas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 10/13/20 • Approved: 10/13/20 • Last Updated: 10/16/20 • R358411-G0-S3
December 15, 1909-October 26, 1953
In Loving Memory
*Photo/information, courtesy of Edith Guynes Stanley
*Obituary
James Griffin Guinn, 43, of Stinnett, died this morning at 6:40 o'clock in the North Plains hospital.
Guinn for the last 13 years has operated a grocery store in Stinnett with his father, J.A. Guinn who survives him. Other survivors include his mother; his wife; a son Jimmy; and a sister, Mrs. Frankie Snow of Wickett.
Final rites will be in the Stinnett First Methodist church Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock with the Rev. Eugene Matthews officiating. Burial will be in the Stinnett cemetery.
(Published in Borger News Herald, (Borger, TX), Monday, October 26. 1953, Page 1)
-----
I, Hazel Arylene Bell, from Wray, Colorado and James Griffin Guinn, from Boise City, Oklahoma, met in Kansas City, Missouri and married in 1935. In 1936 we moved to Canyon City, Colorado.
When I announced a child was expected, Arthur (Griffin's father), being Texas born (Yantis, Texas) demanded the child be born in Texas, therefore, in March 1939 we, Griffin (known as "Red") and I, J.A. and Griffin's Mother, Mattie Guinn, moved to Texas from Canyon City, Colorado, looking for a location for a grocery and Market. In May we leased the Meat Market at Say's Grocery located at 10th and Main, Borger, Texas. The oil field town wasn't very impressive, as there wasn't a streetlight, few sidewalks, few yards with grass and flowers, but a lot of carbon black and dust in the air. I worried about the conditions and wondered if people here had good lungs. On July 26, 1939 our son, James Virgil (Jimmy) was born. Griffin accepted employment in Lefors. In November 1939, a grocery store was for sale in Stinnett, Texas, location, Corner of Main and Broadway, the "4" of us bought it.
Stinnett population was 500. J.A. and Mattie moved to Stinnett to manage the Guinn's Grocery. In the Spring, the Highway, being Main Street, was being paved, the town was filled with construction workers, business grew. Mr. and Mrs. Guinn needed help. In May, 1940 Griffin and I moved to Stinnett. The next year the oil fields started moving North. We bought and milked 20 cows to have fresh milk to sell. In the War years we were granted a Government permit to slaughter beef and pork. We bought from local ranches and farmers. We bought a home in 1943.
The Stinnett Businessmen, ranchers and farmers worked together for better schools, churches and community. There has been many improvements and progress. The growth has been slow but steady. April 1945, a blizzard hit, one school bus was stuck six hours East of the railroad track. Vera Snodgrass was with the children, when rescued, they were brought to our store for warmth, sandwiches, and hot chocolate before being delivered to Stinnett homes.
When the High School had enough boys for a football team, the men donated time, work and money to improve the field. Later lights and bleachers were added. Next, everybody worked for a School band, last was the High School Rodeo Arena, 1957. In the early "40's" P.T.A. started the Carnival to buy playground equipment and cafeteria materials. Griffin was a Sports fan, we went to all the football, basketball and baseball games in this area. He always sponsored and worked with an outside basketball team. We are member of the Methodist Church.
October 26, 1953, Griffin died. His parents had retired. I operated the store until February, 1955. Mr. and Mrs. Guinn bought it. September 1955, they sold to Jim's of Borger.
May 1957 Jimmy graduated. May 1958, he married Denzilea Robertson. They live on Tar Box Ranch, South of Stinnett.
December, 1958, Arthur Guinn died.
July 30, 1962, James Robert was born to Jimmy and Denzilea.
Mattie Guinn lives at 200 Tyler, Borger.
I live at 430 Wilhelm, Stinnett.
Submitted by Arylene Guinn (for inclusion in the History of Hutchinson County Texas, 104 Years, 1876-1980 published by the Hutchinson County Historical Commission)
-----
Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Name: Griffin Guinn
Age: 25
Birth Date: abt 1910
Marriage Date: 19 Mar 1935
Marriage Place: Jackson, Missouri
Registration Place: Jackson, Missouri, USA
Spouse: Arline Bell
Spouse Age: 23
Texas Death Index, 1903-2000
Name: James Oriffin Guinn
Death Date: 26 Oct 1953
Death County: Hutchinson
Certificate: 51914
U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Name: James Guinn
BORN: 15 Dec 1909
Died: Oct 1953
-----
Contributed on 10/13/20 by neldapat
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 358411