Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

April 3, 2024

CHARLOTTE – David Lynwood Guy, 70, passed away peacefully at home after a courageous battle with cancer, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and respected businessman.

David was born on June 9, 1953, in Newport News, VA to the late Mabel Morgan Guy and Alma Paige Guy. The middle of three brothers, he excelled in both academics and athletics. He earned a BBA in 1975 from Roanoke College where his success and dominance in the weights events in track and field earned him the nickname “Big Man.” He earned letters in both indoor and outdoor track and field and set ODAC records in the indoor shot put and discus. Named Roanoke’s Male Athlete of the Year in 1975, David was also the winner of the Homer Bast Award as the college’s most outstanding track and field letterman. Along with being honored as the athlete with the highest academic average in 1975, his class work earned him a prestigious NCAA scholarship award. He was also named to the Roanoke College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985.

David earned a Master of Business Administration from Virginia Tech in 1977 and began an extensive career in real estate development, holding multiple high-level positions at companies such as Arvida/JMB as a Regional President and Arvida Homes as President and Founder. Most recently, he founded GS Companies, a group of real estate development, consulting, and advisory firms specializing in the southeastern United States.

David treasured his friends, professors, and coaches at Roanoke College and was honored to serve on the college’s Board of Trustees from 2003-2022. While on the board, he served on the Executive Committee as Chairman of the Building and Grounds and was instrumental in managing the construction of the Cregger Center. He retired from the board after 19 years of service and was named a Trustee Emeritus. A passionate proponent of free markets, he joined with the college’s Center for Economic Freedom to sponsor the David L. Guy lecture series.

David’s true love was his wife of 44 years, Patty Allen Guy, who he knew he would marry the first time they met. Nearing the end of his battle with cancer, he quoted Lou Gehrig referring to himself as “the luckiest man alive.” He was proud to have loved and cared for his family. He was adamant that his passing would not be sad, but a joyful occasion.

Surviving are his wife of 44 years, Patricia Allen Guy; daughter, Lauren Guy Davenport and her husband, Rob; son, Collin Davis Guy and his wife, Brittany; brother, Mark Lee Guy and his wife, Kathleen; sister-in-law, Friel Killinger Guy, and nephews, Morgan Paige Guy (Ame) and Ryan Frederick Guy. “Popsie” loved his three grandchildren, Jude Caroline Davenport, Elizabeth Maeve Davenport, and Connor Andrew Guy. David was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Reverend Frederick Paige Guy.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt special thanks to Carepoint and Via Health Partners for the wonderful care they provided for David, and to the support given to his family.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in the Antrim Chapel at Roanoke College with the Reverend Chris Price officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in Olin Hall on the Roanoke College campus.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of David to the A.P. and Emily Guy Scholarship at Roanoke College or The Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation (ACPMP).

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.