James E. Guthrie Jr.

James Earl Guthrie, Jr, of Annapolis, Maryland died March 16 th peacefully in his home. Jim was 92 years
old. He was born December 18, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri to James Earl and Ann Margaret Guthrie.
Jim is survived by his three children: Jim (Jo), Tim (Jay Jay) Mary (Dan), as well as six grandchildren:
Rebecca (Chris), Jake (Nikki), Sam (Samantha), Racheal, Kallie (Garrett) and Katherine and five great
grandchildren: Jayden, Dylan, Maira, Addie and Paris. Jim is preceded in death by his brother Roger Allen
Guthrie and long-time love Polly.
After graduating from Central High School and working at the Cramer Posture Chair Co. for a year, Jim
enlisted into the US Navy where he served for four years as a Fire Control Technician. He traveled to
many places and held a variety of positions. He especially enjoyed his time on the battleship USS
Missouri but loved the smaller destroyers such as the George E Davis Destroyer and USS Macon.
After his honorable discharge from the US Navy, he worked at the Naval Research Laboratory and attended
school at West Virginia University. He then started his lengthy career at NASA Goddard Space Flight
Center in Greenbelt in 1959 as a technician. He worked on ninety-one rocket launches, six satellites and
two shuttles doing various experiments and technical support. He happily retired at the age of fifty-five.
Jim loved the outdoors and enjoyed boating, camping, fishing, and hunting. For many years, he was
involved with reunions of his destroyers serving as Treasurer and President. He loved to build and fly
remote-controlled airplanes and was an involved member of Prince George's Radio Control Club. He was
a life-long Mason and a man of faith. His charismatic leadership, loving encouragement, and patriotism
were a guiding light to his friends and loved ones.
Jim was a devoted friend, father, and papaw. He dearly loved his family.
A visitation for Jim will be held Monday, April 8 Th from 10:30-11:30 and Memorial Service at 11:30 -
12:30 PM at Hardesty Funeral Home - Gambrills, MD, 851 Annapolis Road, Gambrills, MD 21054.
Interment will immediately follow at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Road •
Crownsville, Maryland 21032 with Military Honors at 1:00 PM. Lunch will be served after the Internment
at Lures Bar and Grille 1397 Generals Hwy, Crownsville, MD 21032. All are welcome.