Michael Anthony Guenther (Lt.Col.; Usaf, Ret.)

Michael Anthony "Tony" Guenther

August 28, 1939 - December 28, 2023

Tony Guenther, 84, of Longwood, FL, began eternal life with our Lord and Savior on December 28, 2023. He was born on August 28, 1939, at Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Alabama, to Colonel Louis Augustine Guenther and Leonora Elkins Guenther. Shortly after WWII ended in 1945, Tony moved to Tokyo, Japan with his military family. They lived in a Japanese millionaire's undamaged house for a year while his father contributed to the American presence. The Japanese adventure ended in Nagoya, Japan and the family relocated to Falls Church, VA in 1947. Tony attended the Saint James Catholic school with his siblings while in the states. The family later moved to Madrid, Spain where Tony attended a high school that was co-founded by his father for military dependents, the Madrid Dependent High School. After graduating from there in 1957, he then attended West Point Military Academy where he participated in numerous sports and sang in the choir. He graduated from West Point in 1962 and went into the U.S. Air Force where he was commissioned as an officer. His brother, Joe said that "He lived in missile holes at the ready with a match in case there was a launch." He spent the next 23 years serving our country and accomplishing huge feats for the Aerospace military industry.

Tony met the love of his life, Linda Garland Guenther, in 1972 at Patrick Air Force Base in Satellite Beach, FL. They quickly married and started their beautiful tight-knit family. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Air Force in 1985, and moved his family from Beavercreek, OH to Longwood, FL where he would accept a management position at Martin Marietta in the procurement department. He traveled the world negotiating rocket and missile contracts, and ultimately retired from Lockhead Martin in 2003.

During his retirement he enjoyed his family. He was always present at every function and event for his children, grandchildren and extended family. As the patriarch of his family, he instilled love, grace, mercy, honesty, and humility in everyone. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Tony is predeceased by his parents, Louis and Leonora Guenther, as well as his younger brother, Christopher "Mark" Guenther. He is survived by his wife, Linda Guenther; children, John Guenther, Carolyn Guenther (John Steven Kealhofer) and Julia Guenther; Grandchildren, Anthony Guenther, Adison Guenther, Tyler Groden, Timothy Reo, Ivy Groden, Fiona Reo and Nathaniel Guenther; Great-Grandchildren, Vivianne Guenther and Annabelle Guenther; Brother, Frank Joseph (Susan) Guenther; Sister, Teresa (Joseph) Steckler; and many loving nieces, nephews and In-Laws that he absolutely adored.

Please join us in celebrating Tony's life at a funeral service on January 5, 2024, at 10:00 am at Annunciation Catholic Church, 1020 Montgomery Rd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, and Interment Service on January 9, 2024, at 1 pm at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 US Highway 1, Mims, FL 32754.

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