Columbus, OH — Guy Franklin Rion, 69, died Jan. 25, 2024, at the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler hospital in Lexington, Ky.
He was born in Kingston, N.Y., to Donald H. Rion and Jeanette Rappleyea Rion.
A loving husband, father, and brother, he is survived by his wife of 24 years, Michelle LaFleur Rion; daughters, Rachel Marie, 19, a student at Eastern Kentucky University, and Abigail Virginia, 17, a student at Harrison County High School.
In addition to being a devoted father, he was an avid fisherman; he and Michelle enjoyed many trips to Alaska fishing the Kenai River with his Uncle Ike. He also enjoyed finding and collecting Native American artifacts and gem stones.
Mr. Rion hit the road with the Standardbred industry’s Grand Circuit after high school and worked for Hall of Fame horsemen Glen Garnsey and Bill Popfinger. He was caretaker of the multiple stakes winner and top horse Shirleys Beau.
In the mid-1980s to early-1990s, he operated a successful stable of Standardbreds. His successes include training stakes winners American Liberty, Geneology, and Ken Dee Pride. He also trained the top filly Giggle Box, winner of a summer meet record six straight races at the Red Mile. He trained many other winners.
After his training days, he embarked upon a successful career as a senior equine sales representative at Milburn Equine/Webster Veterinary/Patterson Companies where he worked since 1994.
Besides his wife and daughters, he is survived by his sisters, Donna and Jan (Steve) Dean; brothers, Todd (Pam), Martin (Regina), and Scott (Leslie); brothers-in-law, Greg (Nina Michelle) LaFleur and David (Michelle) LaFleur; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to God’s Pantry Food Bank (Lexington, Ky.), Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center (Georgetown, Ky.), or Stjude.org.
There will be a Celebration of Life held at Clark Legacy Center, 601 E. Brannon Rd., Nicholasville, KY 40356 on Feb. 10 from 1-4 p.m.