H.L. (Lindo) Guess

Hal Lindo Guess, the youngest of eleven children born to Emily Bell (Weaver) and Rebus B. Guess, grew up on the family farm in the Mattson community of Haskell County. He entered this world on that farm on August 2, 1930, and departed this world on January 2, 2023, at the age of 92 years.

Graveside service will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 11:00AM, at the Weinert Cemetery. Memorial service will follow at 2:00PM, at the Weinert Baptist Church with Rev. Dan Bullock and Rev. Shannon Waters officiating under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes of Haskell. A visitation is planned for Friday, January 6, 2023, from 6:00 to 7:00PM, at Smith Family Funeral Homes in Haskell, 304 N 2nd Street, Haskell, Texas.

Alongside his lifelong best friend Pete Bowen, Lindo began and finished school at Mattson Rural School. He entered Hardin Simmons College, earning Bachelor and Master's degrees. He always credited his older sister Rita with his success at college. She worked with him on the weekend and taught him to study and prepare for class. It was during this time, he met and married Sarah Young on August 17, 1951. His schooling was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army, where he served as a medic during the Korean War. After the completion of his tour of duty with the Army and his degree, he began a long, successful career in education.

His first teaching assignment was at Trent High School. He and his family moved back to Mattson where he taught and pursued farming interests. He later became superintendent of the school. Lindo was then hired as the superintendent for Weinert High School, where he remained until his retirement in 1990. He truly valued education for the students in his school, but also understood his responsibility in helping shape the future of the whole student. He had the opportunity to impact so many young lives, throughout his career, who affectionately called him "Big G."

He was raised in a loving family that valued hard work and each other. He treasured the every Sunday afternoon gathering of his siblings and their families at the family farm.

After his retirement he enjoyed drinking coffee and visiting daily with his brothers and good friends, first at the DQ and later at the Double A in Haskell. Lindo was well known for his talent as a piano player, and was always willing to share that talent at various events. He was a deacon, as well as a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Weinert, where he was a member for many years.

Lindo was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Sarah Guess. Also preceding him are his parents, Emily (Ma) and Rebus B.; brothers and their spouses, Bailey (Mildred) Guess, Rebus (Leora) Guess and Bob (Mary Sue) Guess; sisters and their spouses, Mabel (Vern) Derr, LaVera (Bud) Hummel, Rita (Chan) Hughes, Otie Bell (Clyde) Mayfield, LaVern (John Alex) Mayfield, Jeannie (V.A.) Brown and Matilda Guess.

He is survived by his children, Caron (Joe) Yates of Weinert, Hal (Cindy) Guess of Weinert and Cristi (Bill) Little of Olney. Also surviving him are his grandchildren, Jace (Tessa) Yates of Scotland, Dustin (Lily) Yates of Lincoln, Nebraska, T.J. (Carin) Yates of Clyde, Heather (Shannon) Waters of Paint Creek, Heath Guess of Weinert, Cayleigh (Cade) Freeling of Borger, and Carson Little of Olney, as well as thirteen great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Memorials may be made to Weinert Ex Students Association, P.O.Box 72 Weinert, Texas 76388.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.