James Lee (Jim) Guthrie

Saturday, June 23, 2018

James Lee (Jim) Guthrie, age 88, passed away on Thursday, June 21, at his home in Nevada. Jim was born Nov. 29, 1929, in Arcadia, Kan., to Lawrence and Ione (Fowler) Guthrie. On June 4, 1950, Jim married Shirley (Claunch) Guthrie in Arcadia where they began their life together.

Jim attended public school and graduated with the Arcadia High School class of 1948. Upon high school graduation, he attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., and returned to Arcadia to work at Guthrie Chevrolet with his father, Lawrence. Jim spent the next ten years in Arcadia. In 1960 he and Shirley moved their family to Nevada to operate the Guthrie Motors Chevrolet Buick dealership.

Jim’s life in Nevada, besides operating Guthrie Motors, included raising their two sons, Lee and Mark and a daughter Melinda. He had several passions in life and he enjoyed people and getting to know about their lives. Jim loved horses and enjoyed hunting quail with his friends. He loved having family around him at holiday and birthday celebrations. Spending a weekend at the lake on the pontoon boat was a wonderful time. Jim was a hard worker who enjoyed his life to the fullest. He loved “making a deal” whether that was a horse, bird dog, or a car.

Jim’s memberships included the Nevada Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Auto Dealers Association, Pittsburg Kansas Shrine Mounted Patrol, the Nevada Country Club and many other organizations. Jim was a part of the McDonald’s coffee group which he truly enjoyed, and he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Nevada. Most of all Jim treasured his 66 years of marriage to his beloved wife Shirley, his partner in life to whom he attributed all of his life’s happiness. Shirley preceded him in death on Jan. 23, 2017.

He will be sadly missed by his sons, Lee Guthrie and his wife, Mary Love, and Mark Guthrie, both of Nevada. Memories of “Grandpa Jim” will be treasured by granddaughters Erica Guthrie and Alan Johnson of Kansas City, Mo., and Marci Townsend and Michael Townsend of Overland Park, Kan.; and by his two great-granddaughters Claire Townsend and Lanie Townsend. Jim is also survived by his daughter-in-law Janet Guthrie, Nevada; his sister Billie McCullough and her husband Glenn; along with his nephews Andy McCullough and his wife Marie, and Mike McCullough all of Nevada; and his niece Jamie McCullough of Boise, Idaho. He was also preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Ione (Fowler) Guthrie and his precious daughter, Melinda Guthrie.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, at the First Presbyterian Church in Nevada with the Rev. Greg Ferree officiating. Interment will follow at Newton Burial Park, Nevada. The family will receive friends at Ferry Funeral home from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, June 25.

Those who wish may contribute in Jim’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church in Nevada.