Visitation will be Thursday, March 22 at 10:00 am with funeral following at 11:00 at Memorial Funeral Home.
James was born in Ethel, Missouri on January 14, 1926 to Benjamin and Josie (Hague) Guthrie.
James grew up in Carrollton, Missouri and after graduation joined the United States Military. He served during WWII in the European Theater. After an Honorable discharge he attended Drury College in Springfield, Missouri where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity, earned a degree in Business Economics and married Loretta Johnston.
James worked for the Sears Roebuck Company and a promotion brought him and a growing family to Columbia. Central Missouri provided James the opportunity to be an independent business man with an affinity for both commercial properties and farm land. He owned and managed a variety of businesses such as a grocery store on Wilkes Blvd by Hickman High School, The Ranch House, El Rancho Trailer Park, a motel on the Rocheport Exit, Pete’s Café and a motel in Centralia. In the latter part of his life, James was active in building and managing Assisted Living Facilities.
Jim and Loretta raised 4 children together. Loretta, a school teacher, passed away due to cancer in 1986. In 1989 James married Betty Becker, a nurse, and she survives.
James is also survived by his children Linda Jones of Columbia, Stephen Guthrie (Debra) of Columbia and Lynita Little (Paul) of Columbia, and grandchildren Patrick Jones (Kaitlyn), Preston Jones (Molly), Jason Guthrie (Kimberly), Sara Guthrie Noda (Tyler), Jesse Little, Lucas Little (Danielle) and Nathan Little as well as great-grandchildren Malcolm, Alice and Hannah Jones.
He was preceded in death by wife Loretta, son Douglas Guthrie, and sister Betty Harbert-Hurd of Carrollton.
In lieu of flowers please give a donation to the charity of your choice.
