James Earl Guthrie Jr., 81, of Harrisonburg, died on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at Sunnyside Presbyterian Retirement Community.
He was born, Sept. 25, 1930, in Charlotte, N.C. and was the son of James Earl, Sr. and Dorothy Hill Guthrie.
Guthrie attended Hampden Sydney College and Virginia Tech, receiving a Bachelors Degree in engineering.
After a tour of active duty in the Navy, he worked in the aircraft industry and maintained his Naval Reserve Status. In 1961, Guthrie entered Union Theological Seminary, in Virginia, where he received a Master and Doctorate of Ministry.
His pastorates were in Alleghany County, Winchester, Rockbridge County and chaplain at Sunnyside Presbyterian Retirement Community.
On June 13, 1959, he married the former Mae Bennett, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters; Allison Terrill and husband, Mark of Islamorada, Fla., Holly Huddle and husband, Joseph of Woodstock, and Nancy Guthrie and husband, Larry Ausley of Apex, N.C. Also, a brother, Weston B. Guthrie and wife, Pat of Pulaski, a sister, Jane Buford and husband, Bobby of Richmond. He had five grandchildren; Jessica Terrill, Luke Terrill, Joel Terrill, Hannah Huddle, and Darien Huddle. He was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Guthrie Dove.
The Reverend Doctors Ann Held and Paul Ogorek will conduct a memorial service at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 13, at Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, at the New Dublin Presbyterian Church cemetery in Dublin.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Fellowship Fund, Sunnyside Presbyterian Retirement Community, 600 University Boulevard, Suite L, Harrisonburg, Va., 22801.