Sam Madison Guthrie

Sam Madison Guthrie born September 3, 1952 and went Home to be with our Lord and Savior April 5, 2021, unexpectantly.

Sam lived most of his life in Oklahoma City, OK. He was regularly active in his church at Westlawn Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He also traveled around to local churches playing the drums and piano on Sunday mornings. He loved riding his bike and played on bowling teams, back in the day, and was darn good at it, too! He worked at Shipman’s Café in Oklahoma City before his employment at Baptist Hospital for 30 years where he retired in 2000.

In 2015, he made the move to Forney, TX. He was a member at Tree of Life Lutheran Church in Garland, TX. Sam enjoyed being around family, loved watching Larry Hagman on T.V., playing Wahoo, playing the piano (by ear) and drums. He also enjoyed spending a couple of days a week at Superior Adult Care Services, Terrell, TX. where he got to sometimes play the piano and play a Wii bowling game; that was his favorite thing to do there!

Sam was strong in his faith and was never ashamed to share it. There are countless stories of him witnessing, “chasing down” visitors (even a police officer that once pulled him over) to ask if they knew Jesus! He never met at stranger.

He will be missed by many, but we take great joy that he is in Heaven with the Saints that have gone before us.

Sam is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy A. (Pfrimmer) Balding; father, Truman M. Guthrie; sister, Rita (Guthrie) Cates; 2nd cousin, Ryan Tindall; and best friend, Ronny Berkey.

Sam is survived by his half-brothers, James Smith (Cynthia) of Oklahoma City, OK; John Smith (Dru), of Oklahoma City, OK; halfsister, Tracy Guthrie Seals (Jeff) of Livermore, CA; brother-in-law, Robert Cates of Forney, TX; niece, Sheri Cates Morgan (David) of Forney, TX; nephew Mark Cates (Tanya) of Red Oak, TX; Christopher Cates (Starlet); nephews, Kyle Smith and Christopher Smith both of Oklahoma City, OK; cousins, Terri McKinney Tindall of Baton Rouge, LA; Jana McKinney Schick (J.D.) of Fritch, TX; 7 great-nephews; 1 great-niece; and several 2nd cousins.

Services for Sam will be Saturday, April 17th at 11:30 A.M. at Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 6318 Lyons Rd., Garland, TX. Lunch of grilled hot dogs (Sam’s FAVORITE!) will be served, following service, outside under a pavilion (weather permitting). Masks are optional.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Tree of Life Lutheran Church (6318 Lyons Rd., Garland, TX 75043) or to Superior Adult Care Services, Inc. (500 East High St., Terrell, TX 75160)