Roger Williams Guthrie
Roger Williams Guthrie Jr., 90, died Nov. 19, 2011. He was born Nov. 10, 1921, in Dallas.
His family moved from Dallas to Houston during the Depression. He graduated from Lamar High School in 1939, then attended the University of Texas in Austin, following in the footsteps of his parents. There he pledged Sigma Chi fraternity in 1940.
When World War II began, he transferred to the University of Houston, completed his bachelor of business administration degree and became a second lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps.
He was honorably discharged in 1946, returned to Austin and enrolled in mechanical engineering school at UT, where he graduated in Jan. 1949. He was a member of two engineering honor societies, Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma.
In 1949 he joined Shell Pipe Line Corp. in Houston as a junior engineer, beginning a career that lasted 33 years. During this time he and his family lived in Houston, Austin, Flagstaff, Ariz., Anaheim, Calif., New Orleans and Midland.
He was a registered engineer in Texas, Arizona, California, New Mexico and Utah.
He retired in 1982 as division manager with the company and moved to Horseshoe Bay with his wife.
He was a lifetime member of the Texas Exes, Sigma Chi and Tau Beta Pi, and was a Tejas Vaqueros from 1971-1976.
As if in his honor — he was one of their biggest fans — the Texas Longhorns beat the Texas Aggies on Thanksgiving Day in the final rivalry game. Hook ’em Horns!
He was very proud of his three children and loved being Pawpaw to his grandchildren.
Survivors include children Grant W. Guthrie of Houston, Lyda G. Akin of Dallas, and Dr. Clayton S. Guthrie; son-in-law Stephan Akin of Dallas; grandchildren Kelly Guthrie of Houston, Kirby Guthrie, Lauren Akin of Vermont, Kary Guthrie of Austin, and Olivia Akin and Travis Akin, both of Dallas; companion Vernelle Jenkins of Horseshoe Bay; sister Frances Kneuppel; and many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roger W. Guthrie and Lyde M. Guthrie; his wife of 58 years, Nadine H. Guthrie; and brother Wright M. Guthrie.
A memorial service is 1 p.m. Dec. 3 in The Church at Horseshoe Bay, 600 Hi Ridge, Horseshoe Bay.
A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Seton Highlands Lake Hospice, P.O. Box 1219, Burnet, TX 78611, or the Church at Horseshoe Bay, where he was a charter member.
Condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls, (830) 693-4373.