Obituary of Fred Guthrie

Freddie (Fred) Lawrence Guthrie died on Friday, August 4, 2023 at home surrounded by the love and prayers of family and friends. He was born in Burlington, NC to L.E. and Audrey Guthrie on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1943. He graduated from Walter Williams HS and enlisted in the Air Force. Fred spent most of his 4 year service at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ. Towards the end of his enlistment he attended classes at the University of Arizona, Tucson, where he met his future wife, Sharon. They married in July 1965 and following Honorable Discharge from the Air Force he enrolled at the U of A. He graduated in May 1968 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management. After graduation, he was hired by Colgate Palmolive and they moved to California. They returned to Tucson with their toddler, Patricia to be closer to family and in 1975, their son, Mark was born. Fred worked in the local Banking industry, in Human Resources and Branch Management. He spent his final working years as Bookkeeper for St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Parish, retiring in 2010 after 20 years.

Fred was active in the Tucson community and his church. While in Banking he was active for many years in the United Way of Tucson. He was a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus serving as a Past Grand Knight and Arizona District Deputy. He was a 25 yr. member of Civitan.

He was a man of faith and integrity. He served at St. Francis de Sales as senior acolyte at daily Mass; he was a Eucharistic Minister for the past 43 years, volunteered at TMC bringing the Eucharistic to those in hospital, helped in the youth ministry and as a teacher in religious education. He was an active member of St. Vincent de Paul Society, helping with others to assist with the needs of those less able or fortunate in the parish and surrounding neighborhoods.

He loved the music of Neil Diamond and Luciano Pavarotti, collecting pennies and learning about all the great operas. He will be remembered for his wonderful smile, upbeat and positive personality, his contagious laugh, bad dad jokes and puns and his enduring love of his family and friends. He was a GOOD man.

Fred was predeceased by his parents and sister, Lorraine Hopkins. He his survived by his sister, Penny Beasley (Eric); wife of 58 yrs., Sharon; children, Patricia Woods and Mark Guthrie; grandchildren: Amanda (Jordan) Hernandez; Christopher Welch, Keara Guthrie, Camille Woods; and four great grandchildren who always lifted his spirits: Emmett and Lily Hernandez and Stacy and Keva Kelly; Nieces Katie Fath and Jennifer Langley.

He is also survived by his best friend, Thomas Mitchell and many other long time and faithful friends. The family wishes to especially thank Tom Mitchell, Michael Yuill, Bernie Chapa and Richard Tinkler for their help in the last week of Fred’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis de Sales Knights of Columbus Council #6848, St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Francis de Sales, TMC Peppi’s House Hospice or to a charity of your choice.

Services will be held on Monday, August 14, 2023 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 1375 N. Camino Seco, Tucson. Rosary at 9:30 am, followed by Funeral Mass at 10 am. There will be a reception in the Parish Center with light refreshments.