H. Gerald (Jerry) Guyton

Homer Gerald (Jerry) Guyton was born on May 19, 1924 near Jefferson, MD.  He graduated from Boonsboro High School in 1942 and from Bridgewater College in 1945, earning a B.S. degree in Chemistry and Biology.  He was employed by the U.S. Army Biological Defense Laboratories at Fort Detrick in 1946 as a biological defense specialist.  He was involved in the design and evaluation of the biological and chemical protective clothing and equipment worn and used by the astronauts during the first moon landing in 1969.  He received several Defense Department awards for his contributions to this mission.  After retiring in 1972, he worked as a salesman and manager for two former Hagerstown auto dealerships, Antietam Motors and Massey Lincoln Mercury, until 1993.

He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 70 years, Jane S. Guyton, and is survived by two sons Jonathan T. Guyton (Michelle) of Minneapolis and Joel C. Guyton (Betty Sue) of Williamsport, two grandsons Andrew D. Guyton and Jeremy D. Guyton of Minneapolis, and sister Mary Jane Hamilton of Tacoma, WA.

Jerry was a longtime member of Hagerstown’s Trinity Lutheran Church, serving often as lector and on the Mutual Ministry Committee.  He became a member of Kiwanis in 1959 and later joined the Hagerstown B.P.O.E.  He greatly enjoyed attending concerts of the Hagerstown Municipal Band and the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, and was a loyal booster of both.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024 at the Rest Haven Chapel on Pennsylvania Ave. in Hagerstown, with visitation 1 hour prior.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Micah’s Backpack Fund at Trinity Lutheran Church, 15 Randolph Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21740.

Link to livestream service: https://evt.live/h-gerald-guyton