Gay Guthrie

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Robert Gay Guthrie on March 17, 2026, in Edmond Oklahoma. He succumbed to prostate cancer after a fierce and protracted battle. He spent his last days at home surrounded by family and in communication with friends across the country. Gay had a larger-than-life presence and was loved by family and many friends for his kindness, generosity, and indomitable spirit.

Born on May 14, 1949, in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, Gay lived life all out. If ten would kill you, he would go for nine. He attended eight years of Catholic school at St. Coleman’s Catholic Church, one year of public school in Turtle Creek, followed by three formative years at Shady Side Academy. Life at Shady Side developed his love for literature, art, and justice, which he pursued for the rest of his life. He played through his 4-year football contract at Duke University and found time to be the President of Phi Delta Theta, where he was a profound influence on numerous fraternity brothers. He completed his Juris Doctor at the University of Denver (DU). He was admitted to the bar to practice law in Colorado in 1976.

Gay’s legal career was varied and impactful. He started as an intern at the DA’s office in Denver, and he fearlessly continued his pursuit of justice as an Assistant District Attorney, an Assistant United States Attorney, and twice as the First Assistant US Attorney. As a leader in the office he mentored many attorneys, passing on his sense of fairness and justice, helping shape their practice and even their lives. He took pride and found success in representing the people of the United States for 33 years. When he retired from the law, he enjoyed going down many rabbit holes as he explored endless interests and spread joy as a hobby.

While at DU, Gay fell in love with rugby. He played rugby with the Denver Barbarians for 22 years. His rugby adventures and exploits were legion, and he made more than one court appearance with his face marked with evidence of intense game action from the weekend before. Even after retiring from rugby, Gay remained a steadfast fan and supporter of the Barbarians and showed up at games and events whenever possible. He embraced being “An Old Boy”.

Gay married Paula Kochis in 1971. They had two children, Ann and Paul. Gay enjoyed many activities with his family, including coaching his children’s soccer, basketball and hockey teams. Paula died in 2012 from cancer. Gay married Bonnie Pierce in 2013 and fell in love with her family, including Janeé, Jarrett, Kaden and Sydney Austin. He joyfully attended many games, concerts, performances and events to cheer the Austins on. He treasured trips to Florida to visit Paul and Dani, where he enjoyed seeing wildlife and particularly manatees. He also made trips to Spain as often as possible to enjoy activities with Ann’s children, Kaienta and Sofia. They trekked to Roman ruins, covered themselves with mud at the mud baths in the salinas of the Mar Menor, and visited the beach and the zoo many times.

Gay was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Woodside and Lucille Marie Guthrie, and his sister Wendy Claire Bruchwalski. He is survived by his wife Bonnie Pierce, his brother-in-law John Bruchwalski of Wildwood, Florida, his daughter Ann Ensenat Delozier and husband David Enseñat Ballester of San Javier, Murcia, Spain, his son Paul Guthrie and wife Danielle Egger of St. Petersburg, Florida, bonus daughter Janeé Austin and husband Jarrett of Edmond, Oklahoma, granddaughter Kaienta Ensenat Delozier of Valencia, Spain, granddaughter Sofia Enseñat Delozier of Madrid, Spain, grandson Kaden Austin and granddaughter Sydney Austin of Edmond, Oklahoma, and godsons Ryan McCaffrey and Jordan Kochis. We will all continue to honor his memory by carrying forward the values and love showed us. His smile filled up the room and his cheer was contagious. He was a beloved husband, father, Pappy and friend. In his last years he occasionally adopted blue hair and cat ears with the stylistic help of his grandchildren. His passing leaves a huge void that cannot be filled, yet his legacy will live on in the hearts and lives of all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held on April 1, 2026 at Southern Hills Christian Church, 3207 South Boulevard in Edmond Oklahoma, beginning at 2:00 pm. Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate Gay’s life, sharing stories, laughter, and love in remembrance.

Flowers are appreciated, as are donations to the Green and White Rugby Trust (greenandwhiterugby.org/donate) and the ACLU of Oklahoma (acluok.org/donate). We will continue to cherish the moments we got to spend with Gay. He was unforgettable. He is stardust, he is golden, now and forevermore.