Richard Durwood “Red” Guthrie, age 71, of Brownwood passed away September 16, 2010 at his home. Funeral services will be held at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church on Monday September 20, 2010 at 10:00am with Brother Waymon Childress officiating. Interment will follow at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery with full Masonic Rites. The family will receive friends from 3:00-5:00pm on Sunday September 19, 2010 at Blaylock Funeral Home.
Born November 1, 1938 in Brownwood, he attended school in Brownwood until Jr. High then moved to Abilene where he graduated High School in 1957. Football and Track were his sports interests but running his coon hounds was his first love, then Rodeo, cold beer and Lowake steak, in that order.
At 19, it all changed; love struck! He won a tussel with his future father-in-law, stole his daughter, Dee McGaugh, and ran off to Oklahoma and Colorado to be married. He settled down and got a job with the Texas Highway Dept. of Engineers, self colleged himelf with $1 used books, drew FHA house plans and carpentered for extra money to raise 3 children. He spent 20 years with T.H.D. Engineers, 2 years as Superintendent for Abilene Bridge and Paving and 9 years as Design Supervisor for Tippett & Gee Conslt. Eng. Then disabled by back surgery and divorced after 32 years. He walked when they said he wouldn’t, danced when they said he couldn’t. Body Guarded from Texas to New York, then back full circle to Brownwood to fish and fight cancer. Always an artist he worked in all medias; but favored oils. He won the Lady Bird Johnson Award for his charcoal of the Old Ft. Phantom Ruins. Endowed member of Clyde Lodge, Bangs Lodge, 32 degree in York Rite, 32 degree in Scottish Rite and Shriners.
He is survived by his three children Richard Wade Guthrie of Abilene, Cheryll Dee Morris and husband Rodney of Clyde and Jerry Wayne Guthrie of Ft. Davis, 8 grandkids, and 4 great-grandkids, his brother Dwayne Guthrie and wife Paula of Clyde.
He is preceded in death by his parents Dick and Willie Mae Guthrie.
In lieu of flowers, Red has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Brownwood Masonic Lodge.
Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home.