Obituary of Guy Franklin Rion

Guy Franklin Rion, 69 died on January 25, 2024 at the University of KY Albert B. Chandler hospital in Lexington, KY. 

He was born in Kingston, NY on November 10, 1954  to Donald H. Rion and Jeanette Rappleyea Rion. There will be a Celebration of Life held at Clark Legacy Center, 601 E. Brannon Rd., Nicholasville, KY 40356 on February 10, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. 

A loving husband, father, and brother Guy is survived by his wife of 24 years, Michelle LaFleur Rion and their two daughters, Rachel Marie, 19, a student at Eastern KY University, and Abigail Virginia, 17, a student at Harrison County High School. In addition to being a devoted father, Guy was an avid fisherman; he and Michelle enjoyed many trips to Alaska fishing the Kenai River with Guy's Uncle Ike. He also enjoyed finding and collecting Native American artifacts and gem stones. 

Guy 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 Shirley's Beau. In the mid 80's to early 90's Guy operated a successful stable of Standardbred race horses. 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 6 straight races at the Red Mile. He trained many other winners. After his training days, Guy 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, Guy is survived by his sisters Donna, Jan Dean (Steve), his brothers Todd (Pam), Martin (Regina), and Scott (Leslie), his brothers-in-law Greg LaFleur (Nina Michelle) and David LaFleur (Michelle).  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to God's Pantry Food Bank (Lexington, KY), or Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center (Georgetown, KY), or Stjude.org