Chris Guss Jr.

Chris Guss Jr. passed peacefully on the morning of September 1, 2026 at his home in Phoenix, AZ. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle who loved spending time with family. Chris was born in the coal mining community of Clincho, VA on December 10, 1942, to Zella Robinson Gus and Chris Gus. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann Guss, with whom they would have celebrated 60 years of marriage on September 3, 2026. His dearly beloved only child, Christopher Michael Guss, daughter-in-law (Andrea), two beloved grandsons, Christopher (Topher) and Tristan Guss and Christopher’s former wife, Genevieve Winters, mother of Topher. Chris is also survived by his sister Barbara Jean Owens of Haysi, VA., sisters-in-law, Georgia Grass of Cave Creek, AZ and Ramona Jean Lewry of Glendale, AZ. His two very special and dearly loved nieces, Colleen and Christina Grass, great-niece, Addelyn Sprunk and great-nephew, Aiden Sprunk. And, additionally several other nieces and nephews in Virginia, Tennessee, Michigan and Florida. Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Zella Gus, two brothers, George and Jimmy Guss, sisters, Christina Sykes, Olive Peterson and Angela Lasley.

Chris attended a year of college at Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tennessee before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1962, served with the 2869 GEEIA Squadron of the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1966. His basic training was at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi, then spent one year in Greenland. His remaining years, he was home based at Norton AFB, CA, but travelled to several other Air Force bases and installations, working on electronics, and the missile sites located around Tucson, AZ. After his time in the military, he went to work with General Electric and Motorola, here in Phoenix, while continuing to take classes at Phoenix College. He eventually went to work for Grand’s Plumbing Company as a Teamster and then applied for the Arizona Pipe Trades, Local 469 Apprenticeship program. He turned out as a Journeyman plumber in 1978, still working for Grand’s Plumbing, and then Sliskovich Plumbing. He eventually went to work for J.B. Rodgers and Kinetics, retiring in 2008.

Chris was an avid fitness enthusiast. For many years, he worked out at the Chris-town YMCA, 3-4 times a week. In addition, he would hike Piestewa (formerly Squaw Peak and/or Camelback Mountain) two to three times a week. He also ran a few 5K and 10K races and completed the 26.2 miles Fiesta Bowl marathon in 1979. Chris’ favorite pastimes were driving cross-country for summer vacations, so that our son could view the different National and State parks and historical sites in this country as well experience different environments and cultures. He also loved going to the ASU football home games and weekend ski trips to the Snow Bowl during the winter months with family members and friends.

Heartfelt thanks to the Valley of the Sun Hospice team for the wonderful care Chris was given in the last nine months. Also, thanks to Chris’ best friend and former high school classmate, Zay Viers of Cedar Bluff, VA. for her continuous friendship and support for Chris, and his friend, Mark Rodriguez of Peoria, AZ, whose phone calls always brought laughter and smiles to Chris.