** Please click this link to see the service live** http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/gilbertarizonagreenfieldstake
Melvin Glenn Guthrie, of Gilbert, Veteran, Educator, and fourth generation resident of Arizona, died in Gilbert, Arizona on December 17, 2020 at the age of 95. He was born in Douglas, Arizona on June 5th, 1925, to Anna Elizabeth ( Dillman) and Loren Vaughn Guthrie Jr. Glenn was the second of four children who were raised, in their formative years by caring grandparents, aunts and uncles when their mother died in 1935. He attended schools in Higley, Paradise Valley, Elfrida and Mesa, graduating from MUHS in 1941. Quick to be grateful to friends, relatives, and mentors along the way, he honored his Guthrie and Dillman grandparents, many excellent teachers, scoutmasters, Willis Rollins and Elias Brimhall and MUHS Superintendent, Harvey Taylor. Treasured best friends were Max Killian and Wallace Sabin. Glenn was an early Eagle Scout. He enlisted in the US Navy in June, 1943 and served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga.
He met Wanda Knudsen in April 1945 while home on leave after his ship was badly damaged with a heavy loss of life while supporting the Marine invasion of Iwo Jima. Theirs was a beautiful, unique love story as they courted 21 days before he went back to the Navy. They wrote each other every day for six months. Wanda was the love of Glenn’s life, and they were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on 15 November, 1945. After Glenn’s discharge from the Navy in 1946, he earned degrees from Arizona State College and ASU ( 1950, 1955, 1965.) After teaching (6th, 8th, 9th grades) ten years in Mesa schools, he served 18 years as principal at Alma School (2), Mesa Jr. High (8) and Poston Jr. High (8) retiring in 1982.
Always active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Glenn enjoyed his many assignments to work in boy scouting and other teen activities. He was a member of Mesa Baseline Rotary Club for 13 years. He worked for many years to further the work of Mesa United Way in its annual drive.
Glenn and Wanda had a high fidelity marriage. He always spoke of her as ” the biggest blessing in my life”. They are parents of six children: Anna Jean( deceased) (Royce West) of Gilbert, Catherine ( Dennis Vance) of Puyallup, WA, Marlene ( Robert Elliott) of Gilbert, Steven of Gilbert, Dale ( Jo Ellen) of Gilbert, and Wayne ( Kathy) of Vernal, UT. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, wife Wanda, brother Loren, sister Eileen Black, and daughter Ann West. He is survived by five children, 31 grandchildren, 100 great- grandchildren, and his sister Charmaine Halverson of Bountiful, Utah.
Services will be held December 29, 2020 at the Greenfield Stake Center at 2740 S. Lindsay Road at 10:00 AM with a Family Visitation only, at 9:00 AM. Interment will be at the Mesa City Cemetery.
**To view the service that was previously recorded, please see the link below. This will be available on Wednesday, 12/30/2020**
YouTube Link (starting Wednesday):
Glenn hired me as a physical education teacher at Mesa Junior High in 1965. When he was named the principal at Poston Junior High he asked me to go with him as physical education teacher and department chairperson, football and basketball coach. Glenn always went above and beyond in supporting and encouraging his teachers to be the best they could be. He was the best principal I ever had. I was priviledged to be under his leadership the sixteen years he was principal at Mesa Junior and Poston Junior Highs. I loved and respected him. My sincere condolences to his family in their loss.
Our condolences. Glenn an Wanda were both great influences in the last 20 plus years of our life. They made a dream come true for us by selling us a piece of mountain heaven. They were a positive influence and very supportive in all our endeavors to make the most of the cabin that Glenn had built for his father. They both enjoyed watching all of our efforts to make our little haven a peaceful getaway! We admired his devotion to the love of his life. Our lives were enriched by knowing him and he holds a special place in our hearts. Rest In Peace Glenn
Glenn and Wanda and family were members of the Mesa 10th Ward in the 50’s when I was young. He was Asst. Scoutmaster to Roy Powell when I, along with DeWayne Cooley, Gary Perkins and Norman McKee, received our Eagle Scout Awards in 1957. He was Principal of Mesa Jr High when he hired my mother, Zoe Phelps, as a teacher there in the late 60’s. He and Wanda were clients of mine for many years until I retired from the practice of law in 2009. I kept in touch until about 2017 when the phone number I had no longer worked. I am sorry to have missed visiting with him these past few years. He was a great story teller and thrilled me with stories of his youth, of World War II, as well as activities later on. Glenn was a True-Blue Latter-day Saint and lived the Gospel fully. I knew/know each of his children and love them dearly. I will miss one of the best friends and mentors I’ve ever known. But he missed Wanda dearly, and I’m so happy to know he is “at last” back with her once again. My love to each of his children and their families. — Stephen Phelps
I have great memories of Glen He hired my husband as a PE teacher and football coach right out of college. He loved working with Glen and felt respected and listened to … He set a great example for the teachers and staff. We were so blessed to be together when we were just getting started.
I was hired as a school counselor twice by Glenn. Once when I first started in the counseling field and a few years later when my family and I returned from the Tongan Islands where we lived for three years. He was always a special friend to us and we want to wish his family well.
I want to send well wishes to Glenn’s family. Brother Guthrie was such a treasure. I first knew him and his family when we moved into 15th ward in Mesa. I was an awkward age and they were so kind to us….. always. Then most recently I had very illuminating conversations with him at the McCrae home where my mother was for her last couple of years in this earth. He was always sweet to all the ladies there and I was so happy to reconnect and learn about him when I was an adult. Very special soul.
I have known Glenn and Wanda for years. When growing up in 15th Ward, My parents bought milk from them on their farm on E. University. They were always a great example to me. Many years passed and was able to see Glenn at a funeral. He remembered me and told stories when we were in the ward! My prayers are with the Guthrie family and want you to know how much we love your parents and your family!
I wish I had known about Glenn’s passing. I had many great memories and times with Glenn and Wanda, both as my principal at Mesa Jr., and personal family activities. Love and condolences to all of the family.