Major James “Jim” H. Guelich Jr., Usmc (Ret.),

Major James “Jim” H. Guelich Jr., USMC (Ret.), passed away on January 27, 2021.

Jim was born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania on October 17, 1938, and was the son of the late James H. Guelich, Sr. and Pearl A. Guelich. After finishing at Clearfield High School, Jim joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he started as enlisted and built his career to the rank of Major. He retired in 1976 after 22 proud years, including multiple tours in Vietnam.
Jim always said the Marine Corps and flying, which included fixed wing helicopters and finally retiring in the Harrier, were his life. He said that it made him the man he became later on in life.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, he spent two years in Washington, D.C. as a consultant for Advanced Logistics Management and System Consultant Management Companies. Later he was recruited by Northrop, which later became Northrop Grumman. Not only did he get a new job, but he also got a new wife, “Reet,” with whom he shared 33 years with. Reet passed away in 2015.

Jim’s career grew at Northrop Grumman from manager to Director of the entire Logistics Department at the plant in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Then, in 1995, Jim was asked to manage the Warner Robins Regional Support Center, and he happily accepted. He moved with his wife, Reet, and their 4-legged little girl, Misty, to Middle Georgia where they made their forever home.

While under Jim’s capable leadership, Northrop Grumman grew and prospered, adding and sustaining many quality jobs for the greater Middle Georgia Government’s National Defense Initiative that lowered costs to the government while creating higher standards of workmanship. Jim finally retired from Northrop Grumman in July 2005, after 26 years of service.

Additionally, Jim unselfishly embraced and supported numerous civic and charitable programs in his Middle Georgia community and was a beloved figure by all. Jim enjoyed his civilian life, but his biggest love was the Marine Corps. One of his favorite shirts says it all, “Not as Lean, Not as Mean, but still a Marine, Semper Fi.”

He is survived by his son, James “Jimmy” Guelich III of Raleigh, North Carolina; nieces, Kallista Mahr, Christina Teckman, Victoria Mahr of Florida, and Technical Sergeant Alexandra Clark of Las Vegas, Nevada.

A visitation and wake will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2021, at McCullough Funeral Home with a funeral service immediately following at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home.

For friends and family unable to attend, the funeral service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

On Sunday, February 14, 2021, a graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Magnolia Park Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest with full U.S. Marine Corps military honors, which he so richly deserves.

While flowers are appreciated, donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st St, Suite 800, Miami, Florida, 33131 are also welcome.

Learn more about the measures McCullough Funeral Home is taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests at www.mcculloughfh.com. There you can also sign an Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.