Guinn called a ‘great citizen of Nevada’
By Emily Richmond, Las Vegas Sun
Former Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn was remembered Tuesday as a common man with an uncommon sense of duty.
More than 1,200 people filled the pews at St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Catholic Church on West Sahara Avenue for the two-hour funeral Mass. Among them were family and friends, lawmakers and business leaders, former campaign workers and public employees. Republican Guinn was remembered as always putting the needs of the state above party politics, and expected others to do the same.
Kenny Guinn
Six bagpipers and four drummers led the procession into the church. Clergy — including Bishop Joseph Pepe of the Diocese of Las Vegas — and pallbearers escorted Guinn’s casket, draped in a simple white cloth with a small gold cross. Former Nevada First Lady Dema Guinn, supported on either side sons Jeff and Steve and with a procession of family behind them, followed her husband’s casket to the front of the church.
Guinn, who served as Nevada’s governor from 1999 through 2006, died July 22. He was 73. The Guinns’ 54-year marriage was a testament to their love and faith in each other, said Pepe, who led the funeral Mass. And Kenny Guinn’s commitment “was present wherever he was — what he brought was a sense of responsibility, understanding, fairness, caring and warmth.”