David Reed Guinn

March 1, 1950 - September 4, 2025

David was born in Bakersfield CA on March 1, 1950, to parents Oliver and Kathleen Guinn. He was the middle child of five – two older sisters, Claudia and Cathy; a younger sister, Carrie, and the youngest, brother Dennis.

Our family moved to Tehachapi CA in 1955, where David attended local schools and graduated from Tehachapi High School in 1969.

During our childhood, we reveled in typical adventures that are not so common these days. We played –outside! Until the streetlights came on – games of tag; riding bikes; building tumbleweed and cardboard box forts. We had an ornery Shetland pony for a while that bucked everyone off who tried to ride it; we had to haul water to where he was boarded – so that didn’t last long!

David had some not so typical adventures too! He and a friend decided on a whim one day to ride their bicycles down the old road to Keene from Tehachapi, and then Highway 58 to Arvin – about 25 miles away, without permission.. They did make it to Arvin; flat tires and all and a phone call home late in the day sent Mom out to fetch them.

We also took many road trips; when Dad was between electrical jobs we’d load up the car and set off on Route 66, first to stop in Checotah, OK to visit Dad’s relatives for a few days; then we’d head to Northern Minnesota to visit Mom’s relatives. No one was told we were coming! There we’d be, all seven of us; rumpled from being crammed in a car for a couple days without stopping and land on the doorsteps of unsuspecting relatives; all of whom welcomed it as a special surprise that the California family came for a visit. On one extended visit, with the sister’s still at home in Tehachapi – David and Dennis hightailed it back to California on their own...David was 14 or 15 – no driver’s license and driving the family car……needless to say, they were spotted by the law in New Mexico and after Dad was called, they were ordered to turn around and go back to Oklahoma. What?!?! That’s hilarious!

On one visit to Aunt Marceline in Minnesota, who lives on the banks of the Mississippi River, our cousin, Ellen, thought it would be great fun to put a rowboat out on the river and jerry-rig a sail; the wind came up; the “sail” collapsed and we got caught in the current and didn’t have oarlocks to paddle back to shore….there we were, David, Ellen, and I floating away at a pretty good clip toward a dam until another kid with a motor boat spotted our trouble and rescued us.

David loved music!!! As a youngster he was a super fan of Ella Fitzgerald and the Ray Conniff band; our parents took him to several live performances in the LA area and David was thrilled to meet Ella. He had an extensive music collection – he loved collecting and often went on the hunt for Top 40 records. He kept lists and lists of artists and their music and had almost a photographic memory of band members and songs. David was also an avid collector of Fenton Art Glass and generously gifted many pieces to his family and honored friends.

He joined the Air Force shortly after high school graduation and was stationed at various Pacific bases providing support services during the Vietnam War. After his active duty ended, he proudly spent the rest of his 30 year military career in the Air Force Reserves and enjoyed his duties and travels to different spots around the world.

He made life-long friends during his Air Force days, Dale and Barry. The friends shared many memorable adventures traveling around California, including a jaunt to Tijuana that somehow involved tequila and God knows what! David stayed in touch with Dale with weekly phone calls and visited his old friend in Pennsylvania, traveling cross country by train; Dale will miss his buddy.

Between his monthly Reserves duties David had a gardening business in Tehachapi. He was meticulous and took pride in his work, his loyal customers appreciated him and got to know him pretty well. He also earned an AA degree from Bakersfield College. David never married and lived most of his life as a loving companion to our Mother until her death; they lived a quiet life and were devoted to one another.

David’s health issues eventually led him to giving up his gardening business and moving to assisted living in Bakersfield to be closer to Claudia and Carrie. It was such a blessing! He lived at The Pointe for the last five plus years and thrived under their care and socially bloomed. He was an enthusiastic participant in all the activities and quite enjoyed new hobbies like painting; floral arrangements; beading. He was an “ambassador” to the new residents, helping them feel at home and was loved for his smile and helpfulness.

In closing; David was the best brother. He faced his illnesses with optimism and stared down the worst of the effects. He loved us and we had so much fun as kids. He loved get-togethers and was always interested in hearing about family news. He was our family historian; he could remember distant relatives and how we were connected. David talked almost daily by phone to nephew, Casey, and they shared many stories and gossip of the day.

He is survived by Claudia Villacana (Louie), Carrie Quiroga, Dennis (Jennifer) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He deeply felt the loss of Cathy and Mom, who preceded him in death.

The dash in his life, March 1, 1950 – September 4, 2025, was filled with love and adventures. We will miss him; in his unique way, David was an inspiration and his stories will long live in our memories and hearts.

David will be laid to rest with Honor at the Bakersfield National Cemetery.