Allen Ray Guthrie

Allen Ray Guthrie passed away on June 6, 2010 at his home surrounded by family.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 9th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Providence Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at the Taylor City Cemetery on Thursday, June 10th, at 2:00 p.m.

Allen better known as “Big Al” was born in Gorman, Texas on March 23, 1935 to Mary Ella and Wilbur Otis Guthrie. He married Shirley Gollrad in 1952 and fathered 4 children.

Allen had a very distinguished career in the United States Navy spanning more than 20 years. One of his earliest deployments was aboard the USS Springer where he was assigned to Cold War Operations. While serving on the Springer he met Bob Grogan, who remained his very close friend throughout his life.

He served his country proudly and with the utmost bravery in Vietnam for three campaigns earning many outstanding citations for bravery including the Naval Cross, Two Bronze Stars, The Cross of Gallanty, Navy Commendation Medal, and two Purple Hearts.

His bravery in the field not only won him many honors from the United States Government for distinguished service, but also from the South Vietnamese for his heroic actions and valor.

While in Vietnam he participated in many river assault missions with the Navy Seals. He served on several naval submarines in his twenty-six year career from 1958 to 1976.

He retired from the U. S. Navy in 1976 at the rank of E-9 Master Chief Electrician, the highest rank an enlisted man can achieve.

After retirement Allen and his family moved to Thrall, Texas and fulfilled his dream of farming land. In the 1980s, he became a fur buyer and traveled across the state buying and selling furs. He grew watermelon and cantaloupe and raised cattle on his farm in Shiloh, Texas. Allen and Shirley later moved to Taylor where he remained until his death.

Allen is preceded in death by his father Wilbur Otis Guthrie, mother Mary Ella Tilley, stepfather Daryl Tilley, son Dennis Allen “Skip” Guthrie, grandson Jason Allen Hain, and son-in-law Joseph Edward Hain.

Allen is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Shirley Guthrie, daughter Darylyn Hain, daughter Lisa Meyer and husband Kurt, daughter Wendy Sefcik and husband David, son Marcus Tilley, grandchildren Shannon and Mike Strickland, Travis and Chelsey Guthrie, Lucas Hain, Aubre Meyer, Jillian and Blake Moak, Tristan Meyer and Taylor Sefcik, great grandchildren Blake Strickland, Nicholas Strickland, Mykah Mabry Guthrie, Peyton Strickland, and Marlee Guthrie.