Thomas Guessford
December 20, 2009
Thomas Guessford, 45, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am Monday, December 28th at Cornerstone Family Church (3114 SW 61st Street in Des Moines) with burial following at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held from 2:00-5:00 pm Sunday at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home.
Tom’s pride and joy was his family. Many of his activities involved his wife and children, and they enjoyed many wonderful experiences together. Tom met his soul mate Janice while working at J&H/KVI. They have been together for 20 years, and their love and commitment to each other has been a true inspiration to many. Tom was extremely proud of his two boys, and he enjoyed participating in all their events. He was actively involved in coaching his boys’ baseball, basketball, and football teams. Tom also enjoyed golfing with Michael and coaching Matthew’s baseball games. He taught the fundamentals and shared a love of the game that will always remain with the young athletes he worked with. Tom’s passion for life will shine through forever.
Tom was born April 28, 1964, in Des Moines. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1982, then attended Iowa State University and graduated with a degree in Political Science (‘86). Tom went on earn his MBA from Drake University in Business Administration (’97). He worked at Marsh Inc. (formerly J&H/KVI) from 1987 until the time of his passing where he was the Managing Director of Operations, leader of Marsh U.S. Consumer Operations. Tom was the ultimate motivator and worked with his team to get the best possible results. This leadership earned his team the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Award for Customer Excellence in 2007 and 2008. Tom was a consummate professional and driven in all areas of his life, but he led with a human touch and was a mentor to all who came in contact with him. He took a personal interest in his staff and knew the importance of balancing work and family. Tom always acted with the utmost integrity and valued doing the right thing, even when that was hard to do.
Tom had many hobbies. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed his annual golf trips to Phoenix. He took great pride in having golfed some of the finest courses in America including Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, and Augusta National. He was a true supporter of Iowa State and enjoyed spending time with family and friends at Cyclone football games. Tom was a very accomplished softball player and led his teams to many State and National tournaments. He was a board member of the South Suburban YMCA and the top pledge earner for the Partner with Youth Campaign for two years in a row. He was a member of the Norwalk United Methodist Church. Tom was very active in his community and served on several different boards.
He is survived by his loving wife Janice Guessford; sons Michael and Matthew; parents David and Priscilla Guessford; brothers Todd Guessford and Tim Guessford (Jennifer Nordstrom); father-in-law Ray Quijano; sisters-in-law Linda McFall and Mona (Rob) Anderson; brother-in-law John Quijano; nieces Alexa Guessford, Rachel and Molly Guessford, Joni (Bobby) Shepherd and Paige Quijano; nephews Nick McFall and Ryan (Kate) Anderson; great nephews Bobby and Billy Shepherd; and many close friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to his family and will be donated to his favorite charities in loving memory of Tom.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Paul Washington
01/01/2010
Dear Janice and family,
I have not had the opportunity to meet you, but recently found out about Tom's passing from a mutual friend and wanted to offer my condolences. I was a classmate of Todd's at Iowa State and got to know Tom through Todd, living, working and competing in sports with him during the two years our time there overlapped. I remember Tom as a friendly, charismatic and focused young man, a "make it happen" kind of guy, who was a motivational leader you felt comfortable working with. That he had such a positive impact on so many people as he grew older comes as no surprise. I have occasionally been able to keep track of how the old gang has been doing, but the news of Tom's passing was sudden and unexpected. I know words can provide only a limited amount of comfort at a time of such a devastating loss, but please know that Tom was appreciated and thought well of by many, many people who knew him. I will keep you and your family in my prayers and know that our Heavenly Father will watch over and comfort you during this difficult time.
A Co worker from Marsh
12/30/2009
Dear Janice,Micheal and Matthew.
I have worked here at Marsh for 10 years and would have to say that Tom was a very inspiring person. He always had a smile on his face and would never hesitate to talk or be nice to anyone. He was a person that people will always remember. Time will heal all. Just remember that everyday he will be with you through the sunshine,rain and in your hearts. Remember all the good times that you had and got to share with such a great husband and father.
My deepest sympathy.
Beth Reese
12/28/2009
I am very sorry for your loss. I have heard that Tom was an AMAZING person. My thoughts and prayers are with your family as you go through this tough time.
Beth Reese (friend of Jenny Daby)
A friend
12/27/2009
Dear janice michael and matthew - I'm so very sorry for the loss of your husband and dad. I want you to know that I'm thinking of you guys through these times. God will take care of him. He is in a safe place and Tom will send a sign that he made it to heven and that he is alright. Tom was a very kind and caring guy and will be truely missed by his family, friends and the kids he coached and Norwalk. I'm praying for your family and Tom everyday. Not a day goes by I'm not thinking about you guys. Sincerely a friend.
Carol Miner
12/27/2009
Dearest Janice, Michael & Matthew: Please accept my deepest sympathy and know that today, tomorrow and for a long time to come, my thoughts are with you and my prayers will be said every day. I can't begin to know all of the sorrow you are feeling, but know I am thinking of each of you. Love and prayers. Carol
Susan Hrubes
12/26/2009
Dear Janice and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Words just seem so inadequate, I wish I could just be close by to give you a hug and to try in some way to give you comfort. I worked for Marsh for 10 years, four of those years in the West Des Moines office, and the remaining years in Washington, D.C. I shall always remember Tom with that smile on his face, walking with such determination down those hallways - but never ever to busy to not say hi...he was just a great guy, and one who I will always remember.
Please know that time will be your best friend. May God bless you, give you the strength that you need -
All my best to you.
Most sincerely,
Susan Hrubes
Dumfries, VA
Julie (Wright) Runyan
12/23/2009
Janice -
My heart goes out to you. I'm guessing you'd remember me as Julie Wright from HR-payroll, old J&H. I'm still there too, almost 23 yrs, I started the same year as Tom ('87) and I loved Tom. In the good old days, even as he was courting you and in your early years he would come sit in payroll and not that he got personal, but he'd talk a bit about you and it was evident how much he loved you. I miss those old days. He'd always make me laugh, and I admired him so much. That he grew up in the company, that he fought for us, for the "little guys" - because he was once there and he never forgot. I felt a special connection with him and feel a huge loss now as well. That's how he was, he made you feel special. He was a unique one. The obit was written so beautifully and I echo all that was stated. We will miss him as a leader, he was the best... but we'll miss Tom the person more. I know you were lucky to have loved him, to have found your "soul mate", and your boys are lucky to have such a wonderful father, I'm sure they will carry him & all those values that people admire into their future. But I am so sorry that your time with him was cut short. I hate that Tom was taken from this earth so soon, but it's good to know he's up there now, out of earthly pain... no doubt he's looking down on you and the boys lovingly, sending you his love & prayers as well.
My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family... may God put his loving arms around you through this very tough time. I know God's put people around you here on earth to do that...let those around you do whatever they can for you.
God Bless... Julie
Kelly Needles
12/23/2009
I played softball against/with Tom and his brothers years ago and also coached basketball and baseball, competing against Tom and his team. I must say he was always a tough competitor and his boys should be proud of this toughness and carry it forward in his memory. I have great memories of Tom and my thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
Dave Plym
12/23/2009
I was so saddened to learn of Tom's passing. We worked together in high school with his mother and brother Tim, at Fatino's. He was the consummate hard working good natured guy, and it is apparent he lived his life to the fullest while embodying that same spirit. God bless you Tom. My sincere condolences to his family; he will never be forgotten.
Chris Minor
12/22/2009
Janice,
My heart and prayers have been with Tom and your family since I learned about his cancer over a year ago. Never in my wildest dreams did I think last years Phoenix Golf Trip would be our last. I will continue to pray for your comfort during these difficult times and that the boys will find peace someday in knowing that Dad is in Heaven enjoying his Creator.
All the words written about Tom simply tell the story of a great guy who accomplished great things in a short period of time. He touched so many and the way he approached life made an impact on all those who knew him. I will always remember with great fondness my four years at Marsh in which Tom became one of my best friends. The times we shared traveling, playing golf, talking about our boys, coaching and strategizing on business helped cement a friendship that will last for all eternity.
May you continue to find stregth in God!
One of his associates...
12/22/2009
I worked with Tom at Marsh and I have to say he was one of the greatest people I ever knew. He had one of the most uplifting spirits in Marsh. He did our meetings every quarter and he is the reason I gave to charities because of how much he made it touch our lives. He was a wonderful person and someone who made us all feel like we were at home and not just work. He will be so greatly missed. May God be with your family and give you comfort during this very difficult time. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless
Dotti WIlliams
12/22/2009
Janice,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know that Tom has gone on and now lives in Our Heavenly Father's Kingdom. He is not lost to you forever, only waiting for you to join him. The boys are so lucky to have you both as parents, and I know that you will see Tom's influence in them in the years to come. That is your reminder that he is still and always will be with you.
God Bless You All!
Vickey and Scott Durham
12/22/2009
Dear Janice,
I know the pain I feel for you is nothing like the pain you and your boys are
feeling. I am praying for you by the minute. My heart is just a phone call away
for you. Let the dust settle and feel you can lean on me always. God will take
care of Tom in a special place. I am so very sorry for you and your family. I
wish I could make the pain go away. God Bless you! Vickey Durham
Teresa Lukehart Kavan
12/21/2009
Janis, words alone are not enough. I am deeply saddened by your loss. All of my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless.
DARRELL PEAVY AND FAMILY
12/21/2009
MY FAMILY AND I WISH TO EXPRESS OUR EXTREME SYMPATHY TO THE GUESSFORD FAMILY FOR THERE LOSS YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS AND OUR THOUGHTS SINCERLY THE PEAVY FAMILY