Edward James Guthmann, 90, of Waxhaw, NC went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on June 7, 2017, in his home, surrounded by family. Edward James was born on February 2, 1927, in Duluth, Minnesota to Milton Emil and Ruth S. Freimuth Guthmann. Edward was raised in St. Paul, MN, and graduated in 1945 from Central High School in St. Paul, where he excelled in playing hockey, football, and baseball. Upon graduation in June 1945, he enlisted in the United States Army. As a private first class in the 11th Parachute Maintenance Co. stationed in Sendai, Japan, he received the following decorations: Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal. Returning home he received a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1951. Before finishing college he had married Shirley Jean Gray, from St. Paul, MN on June 12, 1948. Guthmann was a heavy equipment supervisor for Caterpillar Tractor Company, Al Johnson Construction Company, Ohio Machinery, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and Granite Construction Company. Along the way he made and maintained many friends. After 31 years in the construction field, he retrained as a computer programmer. He remained in that field as a programmer for the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association, in Tulsa, OK until he retired in 1993. Following retirement Ed and Shirley moved to Waxhaw, North Carolina. They were long time members of Central Church of God in Charlotte where they volunteered in the kitchen ministry for many years. Over the course of his life, Ed enjoyed sports, wood-working, swing dancing, but most of all being with family and attending the many activities of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Shirley Jean Gray Guthmann and their children, Richard Guthmann and his wife, Vickie of Weddington, NC; Edward Guthmann and his, wife Marilyn of Broken Arrow, OK; Howard Milton Guthmann II, MD, and his wife, Alice of Waxhaw, NC; Kimberly G. Huffman and her husband, Brent of Stallings, NC; Bruce Guthmann and his wife, Cheryl of Frisco, TX; Glenn Guthmann and his wife Anita of Denton, TX; Shirlene G. Gray and her husband, Scott of Indian Trail, NC; his brother, Howard Milton Guthmann and his wife, Elizabeth Heimann Guthmann of St. Paul, MN; his sister-in-law, Marion Brokaw Gray of Princeton, MN; his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Gray Oltman of Sun City, AZ; his brother-in law, Steven Gray and his wife, Mary Sorensen of Mahtomedi, MN; 28 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Ambassadors to the Nations, 4020 Freedom DR, Charlotte, NC 28208. -
Visitation Details
Saturday, July 1st, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am, Central Church of God
Service Information
Saturday, July 1st, 2017 11:00am, Central Church of God
Details:
Service Extra Info A service in celebration of Mr. Guthmann's life will be held in the sanctuary.
Interment Details
Pending