Elvis Henry McGuire

Notes:

This brief biography was excerpted from a longer biography written by Keith David McGuire, Jr.
As was true of his siblings, Elvis grew up primarily in Dewey County, OK, with the exception of the year the family spent on a farm in Alexandria, LA. He also worked with his father in 1918 on a farm in Tennessee.

While growing up, he attended rural school in Oklahoma, and in addition to helping on his parents, farm, he had two part time jobs. When he was ten, he carried mail three times a week from the train depot to the post office, a four-mile round trip, for which he received 50 cents per trip. When he was 16, he worked for the railroad itself as a section hand. In 1920, Elvis and Percy moved to Northwest Arizona, working as a surveyor on the construction of state highway #95, between Toprock and Oatman. In 1923, he moved to Hurley, New Mexico, travelling on top of a passenger train. In Hurley, he worked for the Chino Copper Company. He also fought, and won, his first professional boxing match here.

A year later Elvis moved to Illinois, in a Studebaker Touring Car that he had rebuilt, bringing his Mother and sisters Ellen and Hildred with him. His nephew Keith heard that Elvis made the move to get away from the higher elevations in New Mexico, which he thought contributed to blood pressure issues. His great nephew Tom was instead told by Elvis that the water in New Mexico was so bad, the only liquid he consumed by Coca-Cola, and that the massive amounts of cola that he consumed led to stomach issues.

During his stay in Illinois, he worked at a Farm Implement Factory, alongside his younger brother Keith. In the winter of 1925-1926 Elvis also worked as a street-car conductor in Chicago.
In November 1926, Elvis moved to Brownsville, Alabama and obtained employment at Brownsville Lumber, working as a mechanic in the Creosote Plant. His younger brother Keith followed him, working at the same plant.

While in Alabama, Elvis continued pursuing his career as a boxer, and was in five fights, winning four of them. His last fight was on October 31, 1927, against Joe Lousier of Florida. He won this on a technical knock-out in the eighth round, breaking a bone in his left hand during the fight, and finishing the fight one handed. After this fight, he retired from boxing, at the urging of his wife Norma. While living in Cottondale, they farmed.

In the 1940's, they traded their farm in Cottondale for a home in Tuscaloosa, on 1706 Forest Lake Avenue. Elvis was employed as a mechanic by Anders Studebaker Company, advancing to shop foreman before the Agency closed in the mid 1950's. During World War II, he maintained Stearman PT-17's military trainers at the Tuscaloosa airport. He later enlisted United State Seabees (1949-1965), working as a Gasoline Engine Repairman, and attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Elvis continued to work as a shop foreman for various civilian firms, retiring at the age of 70.

He was in an automobile accident in November 1989, and was no longer able to care for himself due to the injuries he received. He was a resident of the Park Manor Nursing Home in Morthport, Alabama until his death in 1994.

Obituary (transcribed from undated, unreferenced newspaper clip)

E. H. McGuire

E.H. "Mickey" McGuire, 93, of 1708 Forest Lake Drive, died December 22, 1994, at Forest Manor Nursing Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Forest Lake Baptist Church. Dr. Donald Payne will officiated with burial in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park and Hayes Chapel Funeral Home directing.

Survivors include grandchildren, Vann Lantz and Valerie Lantz, both of Tuscaloosa; Son-in-law Tim Lantz, Thousant (sic) Oaks, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Michael Lantz and Amy Lantz, both of Tuscaloosa; sister-in-law, Florence Martin, Cottondale; and a good friend, Eppie New, Tuscaloosa.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 tonight at the funeral home.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1940 Census
Alabama, Tuscaloosa County, Mitchells Elec Prec 23
Enumerated 11 Apr 1940
SD 6 ED 63-48 Sheet 8a Stamped 923
Keenes Mill Road
167-0-1800
McGuire, Elvis H Head M W 39 M No 8 Ok R Tuscoloosa Mechanic Garage
McGuire, Norma G Wf F W 22 M No H12 Ala R Tuscoloosa

Elvis married Norma G. Jordan on 23 Sep 1927 in Carrollton, Pickens County, Alabama. Norma was born on 25 Apr 1907 in Cottondale, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama; died on 19 Dec 1981 in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama; was buried in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park, Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sybil married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]