Mr. Jerry Guthrie

November 13, 1950 - December 13, 2018

Jerry, the son of Lonnie and Betty Guthrie was born November 13th, 1950 at home in Windyville, Missouri and passed away December 13th, 2018 at Mercy hospital in Springfield, Missouri at the age of 68 years and 1 month. Jerry's father, Lonnie Guthrie, was killed in a truck accident on May 1st, 1950 near Plad. Missouri. Times were hard for the young widow with two small children. Shortly after the accident his mother Betty moved with her two boys, Donald and Pepper, back with her parents near Windyville. Six months later, on Nov 13th, Jerry was born in the family home. During Jerry’s early years his grandparents, Harley and Goldie Peppers, had a strong influence on his character development as they were the family caretakers while his mother was working at HD Lee in Lebanon or the Dining Lodge at Bennett Springs. During a period of several years in the mid-1950’s, Jerry's aunt Grace, and her three daughters. Also lived in the home. The girls, Susanna, Connie, and Brenda were more like sisters than cousins to him. At this time there were ten family members living in a one bedroom home with no electric or running water Cousins Gary and Ronnie Martin loved down the road and had electricity and a television. Ronnie nicknamed him “Bull” because of his tenacious spirit. While a young man Gary enlisted In the Army and served in Vietnam also and had that experience to share with Jerry. Jerry and his brothers or granddad “Pa”, occasionally walked to their home to watch tv and the Martin boys became close as brothers to him. One night, following an episode of the “Twilight Zone” while walking home in the dark of the mini without flashlights the brothers were startled by a cow that had gotten out and was in the roadway. From that point on it was a quick trip home. In 1961 Jerry’s mother married Floyd Holman and the family moved to his farm on the Niangua River near Corkery, north of Bennett Springs. Jerry often helped his stepdad with various farm chores. During this time he enjoyed hunting and fishing usually with his older brother Pepper. They also hunted for bearers and picked up walnuts to earn spending money. His younger brother Joe continues to live on the farm. Jerry attended Windyville School until it consolidated with Buffalo in 1966 and graduated Buffalo High School in 1969. In 1970 Jerry was drafted into the U.S. Army. He competed boot camp at Ft Leonard Wood and artillery training at Ft Sill, Ok. Following training he was shipped to Vietnam and served in a 105 howitzer unit. Returning from Vietnam Jerry's close friends and family could easily see that his wartime service had a profound effect on him. For a brief period he could best be described as wild and crazy. But as the song goes “it's hard to grow old and wise if you haven't been young and crazy.”. Notwithstanding Jerry was proud of his service and that he had stepped forward and did not avoid combat service as numerous others had done. The lack of respect for military service during this period continues to be a black eye on this country. In 1973 Jerry married Wanda Henson. In 1984 they stepped up and adopted two brothers age six and age four. Both were problem kids they took a toll on the marriage as well as some other problems between Wanda and Jerry, contributing substantially to its dissolution in 1986. Jerry worked most of his life driving a forklift at Laclede Metal in Lebanon, Missouri and lived in Conway, Missouri from 1984 to his passing. He has many friends there and enjoyed grabbing breakfast at the Rocking Chair Restaurant with daughter Desserea or a friend. He was so well known that the hostess knew his favorite menu items and served him coffee in his own in-house cup. Although the restaurant and waitresses revenue will continue to be stable his attendance will be missed both financially and socially. In 2003 Jerry, at the age of 48, again stepped up and did what very few single men would do. He got custody his five year old granddaughter Desserea. When she turned eight Jerry went to court and officially adopted Desserea. He devoted the rest of his life to her and worked to ensure she would be a good person and citizen. Desserea has not disappointed him. Although short in stature, follicly challenged and with poor uncorrected vision, Jerry is still best described as fiercely determined. He was fearless in action and a man of his word. He was your best friend or most feared adversary. But he was also the most kind hearted and giving to his friends and those in need, perhaps sometimes to a fault. Jerry was preceded in death by his father Lonnie Guthrie, his stepfather Floyd Holman, his mother Betty Holman, and his “brother” Gary Martin. His is survived by his daughter Desserea Lynn Guthrie of the home,Her sister Elizabeth Louise Hendrix also of Conway, his older brother Donald of Las Vegas,NV, Pepper of Windyville, Joe of Corkery, Sharon Kay of Kansas City, sons Bradley and Donnie Guthrie of Conway. His passing is a tremendous loss to many and he will be sadly missed by numerous friends and relatives. Visitation will be Tuesday December 18, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. in the Cantlon Otterness and Viets Funeral Home in Buffalo under the direction of the Cantlon Otterness and Viets Funeral Home of Buffalo