Services for retired Joplin Fire Chief and Community Services Chief Harry Guinn, who passed away on June 1, will take place on Wednesday.

Guinn, 90, died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he and his 68-year-old wife, Doris Jean Guinn, recently moved to join their family. He grew up in Joplin and attended schools here. He joined the Marine Corps in 1948. After returning from service, Guinn joined the Joplin Fire Department. He worked for the department for 42 years, as a leader for 15 years, before retiring in 1995.

Retired city council member and firefighter Chuck Copple joined the department when Guinn was chief. Copple said Guinn was part of the department during construction of the Northpark Mall and was the fire marshal who oversaw compliance with the building’s fire safety rules.

“He was a very passionate family man,” said Copple. His wife and children visited the fire station periodically and said “he was always very supportive and knew it was a family environment” at the service.

Guinn was an avid hunting and fishing enthusiast who brought fresh fish or meat to firefighters.

The former boss also had a way to correct possible missteps from his employees without saying a word.

“He was one of those people who, if you messed up or did something wrong, he definitely had a way of looking at you and you knew, ‘Wait a minute. It is not fair. It’s time to do it again, ”said Copple.

Guinn was also considered a Good Samaritan away from the department.

He was a long-time volunteer with the Joplin Association for the Blind, where he served on the board until his resignation to move to Oklahoma City.

He has spearheaded chili soups and foods for several years that have raised funds for the organization, said Stephanie Mann, director of the association. He has also served in all offices of the board of directors, including the president, vice president and most recently the treasurer. He also enlisted the cooperation of members of his church, Park Plaza Christian Church, to provide Thursday night dinners for those served by the Joplin Association for the Blind.

“Pretty much everything that has been done here has been involved in it,” Mann said.

He also worked through Lions Club International to obtain services for the visually impaired in Joplin, she said.

Guinn was honored in a ceremony on April 8 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral for 50 years of service in the Scottish and Masonic Rite organizations.

In addition to his membership in the Park Plaza Christian Church, he served on the church’s board of trustees.

Guinn is survived by his wife, two sons, one brother and two sisters, seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10:30 am at the Park Plaza Christian Church. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

Firefighters will lead the funeral procession carrying Guinn’s remains in a fire engine.