Andrew East is a former American football long snapper and an internet personality who is married to Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson. His father, Guy East, passed away unexpectedly on December 27, 2022, at the age of 63. The reason for his demise remains undisclosed to the public. This composition delves into the existence and enduring influence of Guy East – a devoted patriarch and household figure who impacted numerous individuals through his devoutness, benevolence, and munificence.
The heartbreaking news of Guy East’s passing
The news of Guy East’s passing was confirmed by his family on Facebook, where they shared a touching tribute to him. They wrote:
“Guy Madison East went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 27th, 2022. He was born on December 9th, 1959 in Indianapolis, Indiana to James Madison East and Mary Louise East (nee Smith). He is survived by his wife of 38 years Marsha Lynn East (nee Hensley), his children Guy Madison East II (wife Sarah), James Andrew East (wife Shawn), Grant Michael East (wife Kelsey), Christine Elizabeth East (fiance Ryan), and his grandchildren Drew Hazel East, Jett Jameson East, Wesley Guy East, and Baby Girl East (due in March). He is also survived by his siblings James Michael East (wife Debbie), Mary Louise Hensley (husband Mark), John David East (wife Lisa), and many nieces and nephews.”
“Guy was a devoted Christian, loving husband, father, and grandfather. He had a deep love for the Lord and was committed to following the teachings of the Bible. He lived with integrity and always tried to help others do the same. Guy was a family man who was always there for his children and grandchildren. He worked tirelessly to bless, encourage, and teach them.”
“Guy was a man of many talents and passions. He was a triathlete, beekeeper, master tradesman, author, innovator, entrepreneur, coach, volunteer, scoutmaster, and more. He was a faithful friend to many and was known for his kindness and generosity toward his friends, family, and peers. He encouraged those around him to strive for greatness and did everything he could to help them achieve it.”
“Guy will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He left a lasting impact on this world and we are thankful for the time we had with him. We look forward to seeing him again in heaven where there will be no more pain or sorrow.”
The family also asked for prayers and donations to the American Heart Association in lieu of flowers.
Remembering Guy East: A loving father and family man
Guy East was born on December 9, 1959 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Purdue University from 1978 to 1982, where he played football for their most successful season in the late 1970s. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction Management and later earned a Master’s in Engineering Management from Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Guy married Marsha Lynn Hensley on June 23, 1984. They had five children: Guy II, Andrew, Grant, Christine, and Wesley. They also had four grandchildren: Drew, Jett, Wesley Jr., and Baby Girl (due in March).
Guy was a loving father who supported his children in their endeavors. He was especially proud of his son Andrew’s athletic career as a long snapper for Vanderbilt University and several NFL teams. He also celebrated his daughter-in-law Shawn Johnson’s achievements as an Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics.
Guy loved spending time with his family and creating memories with them. He enjoyed traveling with them to various places around the world. He also liked taking them on outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping, fishing, skiing, biking, kayaking, and more.
Guy was a devoted grandfather who adored his grandchildren. He often posted pictures and videos of them on his social media accounts. He loved playing with them, reading to them, teaching them new things, and spoiling them with gifts.
Andrew East’s tribute to his father
Andrew East shared his grief over losing his father on his Instagram account. He posted a series of photos and videos of him with his dad throughout the years. He captioned the post:
“I love you dad”
He also added a heart emoji and tagged his dad’s account.
Many of Andrew’s followers expressed their condolences and support in the comments section. Some of them were fellow athletes or celebrities who knew Guy personally or through Andrew. They praised Guy for being a great father, a good friend, and a positive influence.
Andrew also posted a video on his YouTube channel, where he and his wife Shawn Johnson talked about their loss and how they were coping with it. They thanked their fans for their prayers and messages of love. They also shared some of the lessons they learned from Guy and how they hoped to honor his legacy.
Coping with grief and loss
Experiencing the loss of a cherished person can lead to an array of difficult emotions including sadness, anger, guilt, shock, and denial, as well as depression. It may even impact physical and mental wellness, interpersonal bonds, and routine activities.
People grieve in their own unique ways; there isn’t a correct or incorrect method. Nonetheless, various effective strategies can aid in dealing with grief and loss, assisting the grieving individual in their healing process and progression. A few of these strategies include:
- Looking for solace from relatives, companions, or professionals who can provide comfort, understanding, and advice.
- Verbalizing emotions through dialogue, writing, artistry, music, or other creative means.
- Paying tribute to the departed by commemorating their existence, sharing anecdotes, creating a memorial, or performing a significant act in their honor.
- Ensuring self-care through sufficient rest, nutritious food, physical activity, and by steering clear of alcohol or narcotics.
- Exploring personal faith, principles, ambitions, or passions to find a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
- Requesting professional assistance if the grief becomes too intense or begins to inhibit normal functionality.
The legacy of Guy East’s life and impact
Guy East lived a full and rich life that touched many people. He was a man of faith, love, and service who made a difference in his family, his community, and his world. He left behind a legacy of:
- Being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ who lived according to His teachings and shared His gospel with others.
- Being a loving husband who cherished his wife and honored his marriage vows.
- Being a supportive father who raised his children with wisdom and grace.
- Being a fun grandfather who delighted in his grandchildren and nurtured their growth.
- Being a talented athlete who excelled in football and triathlon.
- Being a skilled tradesman who built quality homes and businesses.
- Being an innovative entrepreneur who created new products and services.
- Being a passionate beekeeper who cared for the environment and the bees.
- Being a generous donor who supported various causes and organizations.
- Being a loyal friend who showed kindness and generosity to everyone he met.
Guy East will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He will be remembered for his smile, his laughter, his hugs, his jokes, his stories, his advice, his encouragement, his wisdom, his faithfulness, his love. He will be forever in our hearts.
