The youngest son of Harvey Newell Guthrie and Alice May Hines Guthrie, Jack was born in Portland, Oregon on February 1st, 1925 where he was raised until graduating from Gresham High School. After enlisting in the Army, he served in both the European and Pacific theaters during WWII. In August of 1949 he married Elsa Hildegard Gunther, the love of his life for more than 71 years. Their first child Denise was born after the couple moved to Boston, where Jack studied Civil Engineering at MIT, graduating in 1952. After graduation, they returned to Portland where Jack worked on bridge, jetty, roadway, dam and flood control projects up and down the west coast that ranged from North Vancouver, BC to Los Angeles; during this time Paula and Elaine were born as well. In 1967 he went to work for the City of Eugene as a Public Works Supervising Engineer until his retirement in 1989.

Jack and Elsa joined Lutheran churches wherever their journeys took them, and their faith was an important part of their lives. After retirement they travelled in their trailer for over 10 years working on various construction projects with Lutheran Mission Builders. Beginning in the 1960’s Jack helped with swimming pool and cabin construction as well as the bridge across the Long Tom River at Camp Lutherwood in Cheshire, OR. His love of golf began in high school, and he continued playing well into his late 90’s, even defeating his grandkids at the game when he was 98.

Jack is survived by daughter Denise McPherson (Barry) of Newburg; daughter Paula Guthrie-Scott (Mary) of Eugene; daughter Elaine Senff (Les) of Mulino; four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Jack’s wife Elsa passed away October 20, 2020.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 28th at 11:00 am at Christ Lutheran Church in Aurora, Oregon and Jack will be laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Camp Lutherwood, 22960 Highway 36, Cheshire, OR 97419.