Donald Wayne Guthrie

Donald “Wayne” Guthrie peacefully passed away at the age of 96 on June 22, 2025. He was immensely loved and will be missed by his friends and family. Wayne never knew a stranger and spent his life making everyone he met feel important.

A dedicated and compassionate professional, Wayne built a distinguished and decades-long career in the funeral industry, earning the respect of colleagues and the gratitude of countless families for his unwavering commitment to dignity, service, and care in their most difficult times. When he was not working to be one of the best in his industry, he spent time bettering his community with many organizations including serving as the president of the Kiwanis and Lions Clubs as well as the Chamber of Commerce, being an active member of the Elks organization and Rotary Club. He loved his wife, Lana, more than anything in the world and has missed her dearly since her passing in 2012. Wayne was a faithful member of the Memphis First Seventh Day Adventist Church, where he held several positions of service and leadership. His remarkable life took him across the country, leaving a meaningful mark on his personal and professional path in communities including Dalhart, TX, multiple cities in California, Huntsville, AL, Portland, OR, Topeka, KS, Birmingham, AL, Memphis, TN, Albuquerque, NM, and Florence, KY. Wayne cherished his relationships above all else, valuing the bonds of family, friendship, and community with unwavering devotion until the very end.

Although his family is at peace knowing he had an incredible “welcoming committee” in Heaven, he will be deeply missed by his daughters Pam (Ron) Cronk, Kimberlie (Robert) Hardy, as well as his son David (Kathy) Guthrie, his brother MC Guthrie, his granddaughters Julia (Nick) Oramas, Caroline (Zach) Soto, Amy (Karlo) Gatdula, and Allyson (Jerry) Wallace, his grandson JT Thompson, and his great grandchildren Emmi Oramas, Sophia Oramas, Bodie Gatdula, Juniper Gatdula, Ari Wallace, and Ava Wallace.

He was welcomed into Heaven by his loving wife, Lana Jean Guthrie, his parents Marion Carol Guthrie and Geneva Lucille Guthrie, his brothers Kenneth and Raymond Guthrie, his sister Marilyn Guthrie, and his daughter Beth Thompson.

A memorial service will be held on July 9, 2025 at 11:00AM at the Memphis First Seventh Day Adventist Church to celebrate the life of Donald Wayne Guthrie. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to All Abilities Sports NKY in his honor. Allabilitiesnky.com