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Thomas Guthrie

May 8, 1935 — June 6, 2019

Thomas Guthrie

Thomas "Richard" Guthrie passed away at the Veterans Hospice Facility in Temple, TX on June 6, 2019. Richard was born in Shiloh, Texas (Limestone County) to parents Henry Thomas Guthrie and Donie (Carter) Guthrie. He was an only child raised in Mexia and attended Mexia High School.

He joined the Texas National Guard while in High School and enlisted in the United State Navy in January 1956 at age 20. He served with a Seabee Battalion in the Pacific as a Heavy Equipment Operator and included building airfields on the island of Guam.

His handsome good looks, physical condition, charismatic personality and sterling performance earned the young sailor the privilege of serving on President Dwight Eisenhower's Honor Guard 1958-59 having duties in the White House and at Camp David. Richard was a very proud U.S. Navy Veteran having served with honor and always showing respect and gratitude for all Military Veterans.


While serving in Washington D.C. he met the love of his life Ms. Helen May Stahl of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and they were married in Mexia on Jan 23, 1960. Richard and Helen lived an active life traveling in their RV including a trip down the Pan American Highway to Belize, motorcycle trips and adventures around the country and flying in their small private airplane. Helen preceded him in death on June 28, 1999.

Richard was a flight enthusiast his entire life learning to fly as a teenager in Mexia in the 1950s. Motorcycles were also a passion beginning as a teenager and purchasing and riding this last motorcycle at the age of 81. Watersports, boating and fishing were also favorite pastimes. Richard never met a stranger and loved to talk and share stories with anyone that would listen.
Richard and Helen lived many years in Mesquite, TX where Helen worked with Southland Corporation and Richard was a long-haul trucker, equipment operator and welder.

They had no children, but their love of children was apparent and all family gathering, and their estate has left substantial gifts to Shriner's Hospitals for Children and St. Jude's Research Hospital for Children.


Richard is survived by cousins Ricky Price of Kapolei, Hawaii, Vonnah (Price) Hawkins of Cylde, TX, Regina (Price) Eckert of Mexia, TX and Donnie Carter of Winthorp, Maine

A graveside service will be scheduled at a later time.
Service date pending at this time.

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