In Memoriam: Longtime Faculty Member Jim Guy

James Guy, a professor of poultry health management who served on the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine faculty since 1984, died Sept. 6 after a yearlong illness.

He was 71.

Guy worked in the Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, where his research focused on diseases of the respiratory and digestive systems in poultry.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Wilma; their daughter, Amy Guy Fitzhugh; grandson, Jennings; and six brothers and sisters.

Guy was a highly respected scholar-scientist. He held both a DVM and a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where he was honored as a distinguished alumnus of the college of veterinary medicine in 2002. He was a diplomate of both the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists and the American College of Poultry Veterinarians.

His family was very important to him, remaining close to his six siblings and nieces and nephews, and extended family over the years. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend. He was also an avid student of American history and a devout church member.

Among his many academic honors, Guy received the Phibro Animal Health Excellence in Poultry Research Award from the American Association of Veterinary Pathologists in 2017. He also received the Charles Beard Research Excellence Award from the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association in 2013 and the Pfizer Award for Excellence in Animal Research in 2003.

“Dr. Guy was an enormous yet quiet presence in the department. He was an amazing scientist, colleague and professional.” says Paula Cray, head of the CVM’s Department of Population Health and Pathobiology. “ Dr. Guy embodied professionalism, bringing the essence of who he was to every event, every time, every place.

“He was always true to who he was: forgiving, caring and concerned about his staff and the well-being of others.”

Guy’s research focused on viruses that impacted poultry production, including infectious laryngotracheitis, Marek’s disease and virus-induced immune suppression. He participated in the NC State Global Health Initiative as a member of the Latin America/Caribbean interest group. He traveled frequently to South America and Mexico to educate poultry veterinarians and producers on control and management of infectious laryngotracheitis.

A private memorial service for Guy will be held at the CVM campus for students and former students, staff, faculty and former faculty on Oct. 7. There will be a private family interment at the Benton Memorial Gardens in Benton, Tennessee.

In addition, the class of 2023 is honoring Guy’s memory by conducting an internal fundraising project within the CVM. Proceeds will go toward memorializing him with a personalized brick for the walkway traversing the CVM campus.

“Jim was completely vested in all things teaching and students, and he never missed an opportunity to express how much his grandson and family meant to him,” says Cray. “He was a true gentleman and an extraordinary human being. I, and the rest of the department and CVM, will miss him.”

In lieu of flowers, Guy’s family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University at tischbraintumorcenter.duke.edu/donate.

~Steve Volstad/NC State Veterinary Medicine