Steve Wayne Guthrie

Steve Wayne Guthrie Sr.
Steve Wayne Guthrie Sr. (Wayne), age 77, passed away on August 22, 2024, at his home in Yukon, Oklahoma, with loved ones by his side. Wayne was born in Enid, Oklahoma, on September 16, 1946, the only child of Leola (Maynard) and Steve Guthrie. His early years were spent in Oklahoma before moving to Alamogordo, New Mexico, in 1959 when Wayne was thirteen.
It was in Alamogordo that Wayne met the love of his life, Elnora Thomas. Their love story spanned over six decades, beginning with their courtship in junior high, through high school, and culminating in their marriage on July 22, 1965. They celebrated 59 years of marriage last month but shared a life together for 64 years.
In 1965, Wayne enlisted in the United States Navy, assigned to the USS Halsey, and proudly served during the Vietnam War. Wayne's four years of service to his country ended in 1969, and he returned to civilian life, taking a job with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Albuquerque, NM, as an Air Traffic Controller.
Wayne and Norie had three children: their first son, Tracy Allen, born in December 1965; then Steve Wayne Jr., born in November 1967; and their third child, Felicia Dawn, born in February 1971. The family of five moved to Farmington, NM, in 1974, where life was filled with close family, good friends, and lake trips. Wayne was the project manager for the family's plumbing and heating business, "Thomas Mechanical Inc.," from 1974-1980.
In 1980, the family moved back to Albuquerque, NM, where Wayne returned to work for the FAA. It was a short stay in Albuquerque when a job transfer landed the family in Honolulu, HI. After nearly three years in paradise, in 1984, the family moved to Yukon, Oklahoma.
Wayne took on the role of instructor at the FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City. Starting as an instructor ultimately led to transforming the training courses. Before retiring in 2013, he was integral in redesigning the training manual and simulator to update the way the FAA trained and developed students into qualified Air Traffic Controllers.
Wayne was a dedicated member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) for 50 years, beginning with his membership in Farmington's Elks Lodge #1747 in 1974 and ending with membership in Oklahoma City Elks Lodge #417 until his passing.
Wayne enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, and shooting pool. He took immense pride in maintaining a beautiful lawn and proudly flew the American flag in his yard for years. Wayne was a Dallas Cowboys fan-a dedicated, lifelong, frequently disappointed Dallas Cowboys fan.
One of the first things you notice when you see Wayne Guthrie is his smile, followed by his perfectly styled hair. He kept that masterpiece intact through three cancer diagnoses and treatments, starting in 1997, again in 2008, and 2016. Wayne stood his ground and rang the bell after his final treatment, the hair unscathed. If you are keeping score, it's Wayne "3," cancer "0."
However, in June of this year, a lung biopsy revealed more cancer-not just one type; he faced two types in two places. Although the odds were not in his favor, Wayne agreed to endure chemotherapy once more, determined to stay with his loved ones. This time, the chemo took his hair, shocking all of us. I believe if he had been with us longer, the hair would have come back perfectly in place and dark as ever.
Wayne was a devoted husband, a good father, a doting grandfather (Grandat), and in the last 11 years, a proud great-grandfather. He is preceded in death by his mother, Leola Fink; father and mother-in-law, John and Nettie Thomas; brother-in-law, John E. Thomas Jr.; sister-in-law, Toni Thomas; and three nephews, Dwayne Dugger, John E. Thomas III, and David Thomas. He reluctantly leaves behind his wife, Elnora (Norie), of the home; two sons, Tracy Guthrie and Holly Whitehorn of Farmington, NM, and Steve Jr. of OKC; daughter, Felicia Reed and husband Jeff of Mustang; grandchildren, Tripp Guthrie and wife Amanda, and great-granddaughter Aria J. of Yukon; grandson Dylan Reed of Austin, TX, and great-granddaughter Reese Reed; granddaughter Natalie Lemons and husband Jacob of Yukon, OK; sister-in-law, Linda Thomas; nephews, Jason Thomas and Richard Thomas of Albuquerque, NM; along with other family and friends.
Wayne's life was a testament to the enduring power of love, the strength of unwavering commitment, and the courage to face every challenge with grace. His journey was marked by deep devotion to his family, a relentless pursuit of excellence, and a heart that touched all who knew him. In every role he played-husband, father, grandfather, friend-Wayne left an indelible mark, reminding us that the true measure of a man is not in the years he lived, but in the love he gave, the lives he uplifted, and the legacy of kindness, wisdom, and strength he leaves behind.
A memorial service to honor Wayne Guthrie's life will be held at the OKC Elks Lodge #417 on Sunday, September 1st, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Following the service, there will be time to share food, memories, and fellowship.
Elks Lodge #417 5550 NW 72nd St, Warr Acres, OK 73132