KENNY GUINN: Nevadans send condolences to former governor's family

I extend my most sincere condolences to our lovely former first lady Dema Guinn and all the Guinn family on the tragic death yesterday of our wonderful former Gov. Kenny Guinn.

The Guinns were my next door neighbors for the eight years they lived in the Governor's Mansion. They were the very best neighbors, very friendly and accessible, always concerned that the rest of the neighborhood was treated well by them and their staff. They even invited us all over for dinner a few times!

They worked tirelessly to improve the condition of both the mansion and the grounds during their tenure, and the attractive landmark we all enjoy today is the result, in large part, of their major efforts, as well as the generous donation of their personal funds.

When I retired as director of the Carson City Library in 2006, Gov. Guinn issued a formal proclamation in my honor. It is now a beautiful framed document hanging on the wall of my study. Gov. Guinn's signature on the document is my treasure.

All Nevadans have lost a statesman of great stature and a man of true integrity and kindness.

Sally Edwards

Carson City

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My deepest condolences to the Guinn family.  My family and I would often see Gov. and Mrs. Guinn at Tito's having dinner and without fail the governor would always come and talk to our young children. He always asked them about school and how things were going. My kids, now grown, remember him fondly and were as saddened as I by his sudden passing.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Pam Cowperthwaite

Carson City

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It was a total shock to learn of Kenny Guinn's passing. I feel as if I have lost a member of my own family. My thoughts and prayers as well as my family's go out to his wife, Dema , and their family. It was my honor to have been able to prepare meals for him so many times over the years.

John Ammerman

Executive Chef

Glen Eagles Restaurant

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Dear Mrs. Guinn,

I would like to offer my condolences from my family to yours. Gov. Guinn meant a lot to our child.

You see, we got custody of him when he was 5 years old in 2001. He first met the governor during Nevada Day that year. The governor told him that when he was younger he had red hair just like him, as he was rubbing his head. Vincent for some reason really liked that. Vincent was very interested in him and they kept meeting up with each other after that. In 2003 he was invited to come to the governor's office for a photo and he was invited again I think in 2004 as well.

Each and every time they met, the governor would rub his head and tell him how when he was younger he had red hair. Vincent really liked that!

I had to tell him today of the passing of the governor. He took it kind of hard.

Please accept our condolences, we will always remember how special he was to our family.

Victoria Perez

Carson City

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Our deepest sympathy to the Guinn family. Former Gov. Kenny Guinn was the best of the best. We are so shocked. He had so many more productive years to offer advice for the state and to love his family. A special angel that God is lucky to have with him now. We will miss Kenny.

Marie and Jack Pishnak

Carson City

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Our thoughts and prayers are with the Guinn's family. We met Kenny one time and he was a wonderful and caring man. Kenny, you will be missed by all of your family and friends. Rest in peace!

Jill and Mike Pickern

Carson City

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To the Guinn family,

My sincerest condolence for your family's loss and the great loss our state has suffered. I first met Gov. Guinn at a birthday party my daughter was invited to by her schoolmate during his last year in office, and to have the utmost privilege to share my position in the Nevada Guard and to listen to him speak to me not as my commander in chief but man to man inspired me to follow his "Never quit" attitude and to pursue my goals with the utmost confidence.

My family and I will miss him dearly.

Sgt. Ramon A. Branchcomb

Charlie Company

Warrior Transition Battalion

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

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I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the entire Guinn family and especially his wife Dema. Losing your husband is very difficult no matter the age or reason. I work for the State of Nevada and always had the highest regards for Gov. Guinn. He was very down to earth and really cared about the state. He will be sorely missed. God bless all of you!

Carla Spencer

Gardnerville

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I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Gov. Guinn. I truly respected the work he did for the State of Nevada. I always felt the next governor to come into office will have big shoes to fill. He truly was a caring, heartfelt individual who only wanted to make Nevada the best state in the union. He worked hard day in and day out and I truly feel that he made a difference in the state. His commitment to Nevada is one that will never be forgotten.

God bless the Guinn family,

Lisa Santa Cruz

Former Nevada resident

Portland, Ore.

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I would like to send my condolences to Gov. Guinn's family. I moved from California to Nevada in the summer of 2005 when my son was starting the first grade in his new school in Winnemucca. My wife, son, daughter and I were school shopping in Reno and stopped to have lunch at Chevy's Mexican Restaurant. As we were leaving a very tall man held the door open for us. He asked my son what grade he was in and if he liked school. My son responded and this very tall man handed my son a coin, telling him to be careful with it because there weren't very many of them around.

Examining the coin later we noticed that it was a State of Nevada Governor's Coin with the likeness of "the tall man" on one side. I am always impressed with a public official who would take the time to do something like that. The governor never introduced himself that day, he didn't do some political move, just a simple act of kindness to a 7-year-old boy.

Will Bourland

Winnemucca

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Guinn will always be in our hearts and memories. Please accept my condolences.

Rajeev Bommala

Reno

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The state of Nevada has lost one of its finest governors - he is in the top three of the best ever, Mike O'Callaghan and Paul Laxalt being the other two. I am so saddened by this horrible tragedy. He was a man who exemplified and personified leadership, a true rarity, especially during these dark days of Nevada's history. What a tragic loss.

Helaine Jesse Morres

Vice President of Development &

External Affairs

Western Nevada College

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To the Guinn family,

May God bless you in this time of need. Take comfort in Him. Kenny will be missed, but always remembered as a true patron and ambassador for our great state. As a millennium scholar and UNR graduate, I personally appreciate Kenny's work for my, and our, education. My condolences to you and yours.

Nick Reinhardt

Reno

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On behalf of our family, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Guinn family. For many years, Gov. Guinn was a close associate and friend to our father, the late former State Sen. Lawrence E. "Jake" Jacobsen. We sincerely appreciate Gov. Guinn's many years of dedication, devotion and service to this great state. We are saddened to hear of his untimely death and offer our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all of his family.

Sincerely,

The Jacobsen family

Minden

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Learning the news of the death of former Gov. Kenny Guinn comes as quite the shock. The governor and his beautiful wife Dema were always accessible to the Carson City community and seen at most of our eating establishments. Both never seemed to be bothered when approached and were always gracious.

Gov. and Dema Guinn were wonderful ambassadors for Nevada and he will be sorely missed.

Our hearts go out to Dema who was an extension of Kenny.

On behalf of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce:

Ronni Hannaman

Executive Director

Carson City Chamber of Commerce

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My deepest sympathy to Dema and her sons. Kenny was a great governor and a very nice man. He was a rare governor because he cared about people and listened. He was so awesome at the Nevada Day Parade and chili feed, he would talk with the children and ask them questions.. .Nevada will miss Kenny Guinn!

Tina Baldassare

Dayton

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My husband and I wish to express our sincere condolences to Dema Guinn and family. He was a wonderful man we had met several times at the Tin Cup Teas at the Govenor's Mansion, in Amargosa, Nev., and again in Ely. Always so warm and friendly to us and our group, The Guns & Gals of Old Virginia City, even joining in with us in our skits.

We will treasure our photographs with him forever. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and even those who didn't. Please know that Dema Guinn, a most gracious first lady, is in our prayers.

Tom and Jackie Gordon

Gardnerville

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I am so sorry for your loss. Gov. Guinn was the best governor Nevada has ever had, a great man, and he made a difference in many people's lives. My son grew up in Carson City, and received the Millennium Scholarship which helped him attain his degree in biochemistry at UNR. Now he is attending medical school on the East Coast. He called me today to ask if I had heard about Gov. Guinn. We are both really sad that he passed away, and our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Debby Hope

Carson City

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We moved here from Chicago, and before that Southern California. I was driving by the Governor's Mansion just before Halloween to look at the decorations. Gov. Guinn was in the front yard, and stopped to wave and say hello. I was so amazed at how accessible and friendly he was. That wouldn't happen in California or Arizona. When I met his wife, she was so gracious and real. My heart is saddened, both for our loss of a great leader, but for his family as well. All my best wishes.

Susie Messina

Carson City