Joseph Jacques Guy Inkel was born on January 13, 1935, in Irvington (Mobile), Alabama, to Oliva Inkel and Marie Bouffard Inkel both from Quebec, Canada, and passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the age of 91.
Raised in a devout Catholic family, Guy had seven older brothers and sisters, who have passed before him, Dennis (Margaret), Roland – diocesan Catholic priest, Jill (Billy Michon), Simone (Sister Maxine), Candida, Rolande (Sister Simone) and Maurice (Ramona).
As everyone knew him as Guy, he proudly served in the US Air Force as a navigator during the Korean War and afterwards graduated with honors from the University of Alabama, where he was involved in politics and was President of Young Southern Democrats. Helping to elect President John F. Kennedy, Guy fought for civil rights and once met Martin Luther King Jr. while delivering an important message.
Guy was known by his family and friends as a man with integrity and honesty. One of Guy’s famous sayings was: “Onward and Upward”. In the 1960s, he moved out to California where he married Mary Carmela Vecchio. They lived in Burbank, California for more than 40 years, raising their son, Anthony Inkel, who is married to his beautiful wife, Stacie Inkel.
Guy obtained his master’s degree in public administration at University of Southern California (USC) and worked for 25 years for the City of Los Angeles, Dept. of Transportation until he retired. Guy enjoyed researching family genealogy and spent many years writing a family history book.
He is remembered for his sense of humor and his love for family and God. Guy is now reunited with Mary, his wife of 60 years, and who also recently passed on March 1, 2026. Guy leaves behind a legacy of a simple man with a big adventurous life, traveling the country and fishing trout on the White River in Arkansas. He and Mary moved to Spanish Fort, Alabama near Mobile where he was born and wished to spend his last years. Guy is cherished by his family and friends and will be greatly missed by all those who love him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Daphne, AL. There will be a time of visitatation with family and friends beginning at 10AM with the mass to follow at 11AM. Interment will follow at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, AL.
Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
Mom and I hold such fond memories of Guy and his wife, Mary. We will miss them both very much, and we send our deepest condolences to their son, Anthony.
May his memory be eternal.
Dear Anthony and Stacie,
I am late in sending you my condolences for the loss of your father Guy and I apologize for that. You have had your share of grief with the loss of your mother and father in quick timing and I am so very sorry for your losses. Remember, you will see them again in God’s timing…