Terry Michael Guthrie

Terry Michael Guthrie passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at his home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. 

Visitation was held on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Bonners Ferry Funeral Home. 

A Vigil Service will be held on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 at 7 p.m. in the Bonners Ferry Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Terry, better known as “Duke” to many, was born in Boundary County Community Hospital on June 17, 1949, to Jack and Elaine Guthrie. 

He attended all 12 years of school in Bonners Ferry and graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1967. Following high school, he attended Spokane Falls Community College and Eastern Washington University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education.

From an early age he had a passion and talent for baseball, as did many of the “Guthrie boys.” He played the position of pitcher and first baseman for the local American Legion baseball team. Their team won an American Legion Idaho State Championship. 

His passion and talent provided him with a baseball scholarship throughout his higher education. He was offered scholarships from four different colleges.

 His love of baseball continued throughout his life. He found much enjoyment playing on community teams and coaching youth teams for several years. He also spent many hours teaching his nieces how to throw, catch and hit a softball and he never missed one of their Little League games.

He began working part-time at the local mill as a high school student and after college he moved back to Bonners Ferry and continued to work at the mill until its closure.

His second career was as the Boundary County weed control supervisor. He worked in this position for 11 years until his planned retirement. He was presented with a certificate of service for his dedication. His last official day of work was December 31,2015.

Duke had many interests and pursued and achieved excellence in all. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, master gardener and trap shooter. 

He was a devoted son, loving brother, uncle and great uncle. He was a teacher, a mentor, a coach, a true, honest and loyal friend. He loved nothing more than to make others laugh with his one-of-a-kind sense of humor. He was a man who could light up a room with his warmth and beautiful smile.

Duke is survived by his mom, Elaine Guthrie; sister, Patty Kerby and brother-in-law, Darrell Kerby; nieces Dawn and Kelly Kerby; a great-nephew Kerby Lewis; and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins. Duke also had special friendship with Solomon and Sarah Connor and their daughters Nova Lee and Laura Lei who knew Duke as “Grandpa.” 

He will forever be loved and missed and his memories cherished by all who knew him. His life is the perfect example of a life well lived.

Memorials in his honor may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 911 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane, WA 99204.

Family and friends are invited to sign Terry’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.