Lawrence B. Guthrie

Lawrence Benjamin Guthrie
January 21, 1940 – November 30, 2010

Lawrence was born in Pueblo, Colorado to Creel Foster Guthrie and Dorothy Valdez.  Many knew him as Butch during his growing-up years. Known for his friendliness, he struck up conversations with everyone, talking his way out of a ticket or flirting with his future wife.  He told Loretta he wanted to marry her the first time they went out. They married Feb. 14, 1976, in Salt Lake City, Utah.   Lawrence was good with his hands.  He could fix anything and was a talented beader, making moccasins for each of his grandchildren and a buckskin dress for Loretta.   An excellent cook, he was known for his big batches of chili, hot salsa, and enough food to feed an army.   He even enjoyed chili in his coffee to tease his daughter.  He was an amazing dancer, including Native American dancing, twisting, and ballroom dancing.  Awards he won for rock and roll dancing with Charlene, his sister, were given away on the bus ride home so he wouldn’t get in trouble with
 his parents.  He demonstrated and danced at many schools, festivals, and state fairs.  He was proud to share his heritage as a Spanish/Osage.

His family was the most important thing in his life.  He loved his grandchildren and loved spending time with them and making things for them. Many of his friends and family have been blessed with gifts of his handiwork.  Generosity came as naturally to him as breathing.   He loved bargains. If one was good, two was better, and it was ok to dig to the bottom of the bin to get the best stuff.  He enjoyed gardening in the sun, old movies, and soda.  Sugar was better, if
he could get away with it. He adopted many people as his daughters, sons, and grandchildren. Some were his children’s friends, others reminded him of grandchildren he missed.

He worked 13 years as a truck driver until he medically retired in 1991. Lawrence served 18 years with the 19th Special Forces as a staff sergeant before retiring.  He was an active member of the Special Forces Association.  He served as both president and vice president of the Salt Lake Chapter of the Four Corners Gourd Dance Society (Native American Veterans fraternal society). Service in Native American pow wows included everything from organizer and headman to dancer.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Loretta; children, Brandon (Deanna), Zuni (Erika [Arrow] Klain), and Nataani; children by previous marriages, Michelle Hudson (Shayne), Benny, Lawrence Jr.,  Bernadette,  and Theresa; sisters Charleen Brott, Marilynn Vigil (Butch), and Sandie Carrizalez; brothers, Jimmy Guy, Benny Arellano. 35 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Viewing Tuesday, December 7, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier 4501 W. 5215 S. Kearns, UT.  Funeral Mass Wednesday, December 8, 1:00 p.m. Internment  at Utah Veterans Memorial, Camp Williams, Utah