Celebration of Life Services for Carl Edward Guggisberg, 97, Lawrence, will be 2 pm, Sunday, August 28, 2022, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A visitation will follow the service.
He died June 16, 2022, at his home.
Carl was born on a farm July 28, 1924, in rural Burns, Kansas, the youngest of five children to Fred and Leola (Stebbins) Guggisberg. His father passed away when he was eight months old and his mother raised five children during the depression and dust bowl years of the 1930’s. Carl attended grade school in a one room country school and graduated from Burns High School in 1942. He worked at Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, California before entering the Navy in May 1943. After boot camp and Gunner’s mate school in Farragut, Idaho and electric hydraulic school in San Diego, California he was sent to Norfolk, Virginia where a ship’s crew was formed and then sent to Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York where his ship the destroyer USS Ault was commissioned. After commissioning and shakedown, the ship set sail down through the Panama Canal and on to San Diego and the South Pacific. His ship took part in the Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaign. They also observed the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri and drew occupation duty in Japan until January 1946 when they returned to the United States. His awards include Pacific Theater (4 stars), WWII Victory, Navy Occupation, Philippine Liberation and other awards. He was discharged in February 1946 in Bainbridge, Maryland. Later that year he enlisted in the Naval Reserve where he remained until 1978. He retired in 1984 as a Senior Chief Storekeeper.
Carl worked as a Ford Automotive partsman for over 40 years in dealerships in Topeka, California and Lawrence. He was parts manager in Lawrence for 24 years. He retired from Laird Noller Ford.
Carl married Doris Roberts on June 13, 1948 in Burns, Kansas. They have two daughters Carol Martindale (and husband Steve of Lenexa, Kansas) and Kimberly Rayton (and husband Clarence of Lawrence), five grandchildren; Elizabeth (Martindale) Ortin, Menomonee Falls, WI., Josiah Martindale, Belton, MO., Janel (Martindale) Wakefield, Olathe, KS, James (Kristy) Rayton, Chicago and Kayla Rayton, Lawrence, great grandchildren, Sloan and Enzo Ortin, Tyreece, Jordan and Destiny Rayton, and Brooklyn and Hudson Wakefield.
Carl was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lawrence for over 50 years where he served in numerous positions. He enjoyed helping to keep the yard mowed for many years. He was also a member of the American Legion Post # 14 where he served as part of the honor guard for several years, the VFW Post 852 and the Fleet reserve Association.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, brother Harry, sisters Clara Allsopp and Olive Rowland.
Survivors include his wife Doris of 70 plus years, daughters Carol (Steve) Martindale, Kimberly (Clarence) Rayton, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Sister Lela Virgil and many nieces and nephews.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carl’s name to Cottonwood Inc., LMH Cardiac Rehab or Dorsey-Liberty Post 14 American Legion, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260 Lawrence, KS 66044.
