February 28, 1948 - July 23, 2025
Guy Edward Gingell, a father, grandfather, teacher, and coach, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2025 at the age of 77. Born on February 28, 1948, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Herbert Gingell and Ruth Smythe, Guy spent most of his formative years in Burbank, California, where he developed a lifelong love of sports, education, and community.
A proud graduate of Burbank High School, Class of 1966, Guy was a natural leader and beloved classmate. He served as captain and quarterback of the B squad football team, was crowned Homecoming King, and was affectionately voted "Class Flirt" by his peers -- a title he wore proudly. Guy was always holding court and telling a joke.
In 1971, Guy married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Miller and in 1981, they welcomed their daughter Shannon. Guy embraced fatherhood with the same energy he brought to his teaching and coaching career, often having Shannon as his assistant manager of his many teams, traveling to Hawaii, San Francisco and many other places for tournaments.
Guy's professional calling was in education and coaching. After spending several years snow skiing and water skiing in Lake Tahoe, he began his career at Harvard-Westlake School. After relocating to Washington State in 1979, Guy continued to shape young lives at Lakeside School and later Overlake School in Seattle and Redmond. A gifted and passionate coach, he led teams in football, basketball, and lacrosse. In the 1990s, he founded Lacrosse Northwest on the Eastside, helping to grow the sport he loved and mentoring countless young athletes along the way.
In 2011, Guy moved to Walla Walla, Washington, to be closer to Shannon and his two grandchildren, Hadley and Jameson. In Walla Walla, Guy continued his commitment to community service as president of the Walla Walla Sheriff's Foundation from 2014 to 2015. Under his leadership, the foundation helped secure police K-9 units and worked to reduce gang membership in the Walla Walla Valley—efforts that reflected his lifelong dedication to safety, mentorship, and service.
Guy will be remembered for his infectious sense of humor, his booming voice on the sidelines, and his belief in the potential of young people. He touched countless lives through his teaching and coaching and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
He is survived by his daughter Shannon (husband Bowe), grandchildren Hadley, Jameson and Jackson, his beloved dog Annie, many nieces and nephews in California, and countless former students and athletes.
A private celebration of Guy's life will be held at a later date at Zephyr Cove on Lake Tahoe. "Coach Gingell" was truly one of a kind, and he will be missed.
Walla Walla Union - Bulliton, Walla Walla, Washington, August 1, 2025
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