John ny Jefferson Guthrie

Of Melbourne, Arkansas

Johnny Jefferson Guthrie, son of the late Thomas Walter Guthrie and Laura Maude Tomlinson Guthrie, was born April 18, 1927 in Bandmill, Arkansas. He departed this life December 1, 2021 in Melbourne, Arkansas at the age of 94 years, 7 months and 13 days.  Johnny played professional baseball for the Ardmore Indians of the Sooner State League, he proudly served in the United States Army during World War II and the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was united in marriage to the love of his life Bessie Cooper in Sage, Arkansas on June 18, 1960. During Johnny's working years he and Bessie owned and operated the Cooper Motel in Melbourne and he retired from Archer Drug Company in 1983. Johnny spent his life as a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and a great-great grandfather, uncle and friend.  He was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Batesville, Arkansas.

Johnny is survived by his daughters: Juanice (David) Brewer of Batesville, Arkansas and Nancy Gillihan also of Batesville; two sons: Walter (Becky) Guthrie of Hollister, Missouri and Fred (Marcia) Woods of Gresham, Oregon; one daughter-in-law: Marsha Guthrie of Fairbanks, Alaska; two sisters: Shirley Hill and Betty McCollum both of Melbourne, Arkansas; grandchildren: Jeff (Jane) Brewer of Hillsboro, Kansas; Keith (Cindy) Gillihan and Jennifer Gillihan all of Batesville, Arkansas; Jarrod Guthrie, Josh Guthrie and Meghan Guthrie of Portland, Oregon; Sarah (Alec) Matlack of McMinnville, Oregon; Brook (Randy) Sutterfield of Pleasant Plains, Arkansas; Grant Guthrie of Denver, Colorado;  Cally (Dylan) Basner of Yuma, Arizona; Sam ( Bri )Woods and Elizabeth Woods of Boring, Oregon; 25 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren and extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bessie; one daughter, Linda Guthrie Smith ;  sons Wayne Byler and Ted Guthrie; two brothers: Bill Guthrie and Bob Guthrie; two sisters: Val Blum and Faye Peckham and grandchildren; Garrett Smith, Brad Brewer and Amy Fairchild.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 3, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Melbourne. Funeral service will be Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Eddie's Family Funeral Home Chapel in Melbourne. Burial to follow at Knob Creek Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Danny Taylor, Tommy Taylor, David McCollum, Doyle McCollum, Chris Hill and Joe Cooper.

Honorary Pallbearers: Calvin Fairchild, Jim Cooper, Travis Price, Tim Collie and the Men's Sunday School Class of Fellowship Baptist Church

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Knob Creek Cemetery and The Manna House in Melbourne.