Guy Edward Gingell
February 28, 1948 - July 23, 2025
Walla Walla Washington
This is very sad... friend Guy Gingell passed away today, July 23, 2025, due to complications of diabetes.
Guy was the son of Herbert and Ruth Symthe Gingell born in Ohio on February 28, 1948. He had two sibblings: Bob Gingell, BHS '64 who passed away in 2018 and Valerie Gingell who was a 1955 grad of Burroughs High School.
At Burbank High, Guy studied business and enjoyed playing water polo, baseball, swimming and was quaterback on the B team his senior year plus he was voted Class Flirt.
Please keep his family in your prayers. Guy will be greatly missed by many.
Guy with friend Jim Grasse, BHS '67, in 2011
Guy and Joyce Miller, BHS '67, were married 1971-1994
PS Need to add… the last time I talked to Guy was in January and he called to get contact information for a classmate because he heard they lost their house in a fire! PLUS, their spouse passed away around the same time and Guy was worried about this classmate. Guy had a BIG heart.
February 28, 1948 - July 23, 2025
Guy Edward Gingell, a father, grandfather, teacher, and coach, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2025, at the age of 77. Born on February 28, 1948, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Herbert Gingell and Ruth Smythe, Guy spent most of his formative years in Burbank, California, where he developed a lifelong love of sports, education, and community.
A proud graduate of Burbank High School, Class of 1966, Guy was a natural leader and beloved classmate. He served as captain and quarterback of the B squad football team, was crowned Homecoming King, and was affectionately voted "Class Flirt" by his peers -- a title he wore proudly. Guy was always holding court and telling a joke.
In 1971, Guy married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Miller and in 1981, they welcomed their daughter Shannon. Guy embraced fatherhood with the same energy he brought to his teaching and coaching career, often having Shannon as his assistant manager of his many teams, traveling to Hawaii, San Francisco and many other places for tournaments.
Guy's professional calling was in education and coaching. After spending several years snow skiing and water skiing in Lake Tahoe, he began his career at Harvard-Westlake School. After relocating to Washington State in 1979, Guy continued to shape young lives at Lakeside School and later Overlake School in Seattle and Redmond. A gifted and passionate coach, he led teams in football, basketball, and lacrosse. In the 1990s, he founded Lacrosse Northwest on the Eastside, helping to grow the sport he loved and mentoring countless young athletes along the way.
In 2011, Guy moved to Walla Walla, Washington, to be closer to Shannon and his two grandchildren, Hadley and Jameson. In Walla Walla, Guy continued his commitment to community service as president of the Walla Walla Sheriff's Foundation from 2014 to 2015. Under his leadership, the foundation helped secure police K-9 units and worked to reduce gang membership in the Walla Walla Valley—efforts that reflected his lifelong dedication to safety, mentorship, and service.
Guy will be remembered for his infectious sense of humor, his booming voice on the sidelines, and his belief in the potential of young people. He touched countless lives through his teaching and coaching and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
He is survived by his daughter Shannon (husband Bowe), grandchildren Hadley, Jameson and Jackson, his beloved dog Annie, many nieces and nephews in California, and countless former students and athletes.
A private celebration of Guy's life will be held at a later date at Zephyr Cove on Lake Tahoe. "Coach Gingell" was truly one of a kind, and he will be missed.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.
A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS...
Loanne Walker Ginchereaux
🙏
Stephanie Jackson
Prayers to family
Louise Good Hernandez
🙏😢
Donald Matthews
RIP, Sir
Susan Brown Harris
He was a great guy. Enjoyed knowing him.
Edie Walker
Oh no! RIP and condolences to his family! I had such a crush on him for a couple years but he never knew it. Loved his smile and personality. He was just a neat person to know! 💔
Bruce Fossler
Played Football with Guy.,
Always a leader..Always a friend to everyone..
R.I.P. Bulldog
Joseph Baldino
I hung out with him a lot after high school until he moved to Lake Tahoe and then Seattle
Barbara Zelenay Berry
So deeply saddened! Was wondering what happened to him. We talked occasionally on the phone but then his # was no longer available. That was probably a year ago. He will be truly missed but never forgotten. RIP Guy ♥
Joseph Baldino
Barbara Zelenay Berry He had type 2 Diabettes and I have it also he did not take care of himself he got neuropathy from the Diabettes you must walk and do many things that keep the blood flowing to your feet if you don’t your feet will get infected and it will not heal I had another friend die of the same thing. Last year Guy also became Hermit and did not communicate with many people
Barbara Zelenay Berry
Joseph Baldino thanks for the explanation as to why the communication ended. So very sad.
Flora Ferrens
So sorry to hear
Richard Hernandez
Rest in peace guy, thoughts, and prayers go out to your loved ones. You will be missed bulldog
Steve Bauer
Remember him well...RIP Guy💙
Martin Lillibridge
RIP Bulldog 🙏
Cindy Cohen
Guy, was a wonderful friend when I was looking for his brother and I will miss him a lot. RIP super man!
Donna Luce Veatch Neitman
My condolences to his family! This was the time I got together with these three souls, Guy Gingell, Jim Grasse and Chris Morris! May they RIP! 🙏🙏
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