Paul Gray Guthrie

Paul Gray Guthrie, 80, of Salter Path, passed away Thursday, September 12­, 2019, at Carteret Health Care.

His funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at Salter Path First United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. David Bratton and Rev. Bobby Howard. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Memorial Park.

Mr. Guthrie was born in Salter Path in 1938 and attended Morehead City High School in the Class of 1958. He entered the military service and served from 1959 until 1963 when he received an honorable discharge, having attained the rank of Sergeant 1st Class.

Mr. Guthrie helped organize the Salter Path Fire and Rescue Department in 1964 and was Chief until 1972. He was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician in the state of North Carolina and Certified Flight Instructor in Aeromedical Safety for Emergency Response Teams.

Mr. Guthrie started his merchant business in 1969 which was Foodland in Salter Path. Deepwater Trailer Park was his next project which was built in 1972. During this time, Mr. Guthrie worked through a partnership and developed two subdivisions, Ocean Oaks and Cape Emerald.

As a certified airplane pilot since 1972, Mr. Guthrie had over 2,000 flying hours. He served on the Airport Authority starting in 1982 and served as Vice Chairman in 1984 where he held that position until 1988.

Mr. Guthrie has served as a member of the North Carolina Food Dealer Board of Directors, Carteret County Crime Stoppers, the Indian Beach Planning Board, and served on the Board of Directors for First Citizens Bank. He was named in Who’s Who of U.S. Executives in 1989.

Mr. Guthrie helped organize the Bogue Banks Water Corporation. He was a member of Salter Path Methodist Church and served as a trustee there and was a Chairman of the Board in 1978. He was appointed to the Carteret Craven Electric Cooperative in 1995. Mr. Guthrie completed his director’s training through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and served on the Cooperative’s Equipment Committee and Audit Committee and was the Assistant Secretary for the Board.

Mr. Guthrie lived a fulfilled life with numerous business and community activities. In his free time, he lived life to the fullest and enjoyed hunting, boating, dancing, flying and he was even known to chase a pretty woman or two.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Josie Guthrie of Emerald Isle; sister, Margie Frost and husband Henry of Salter Path; nephews, Joey Frost and wife Tammy and Jamie Frost and wife Anita; goddaughter, Jennifer Kay Melby Williams; godsons, Matthew Frost and wife Michelle and Robert Melby and wife Lucy; best friend, Archie Frazier; friends from Canada that became like family, Tony and Esther Carey; faithful furry friend, Choco; and numerous grand nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Mahala Guthrie; brother, Charles Guthrie; nephews, Jerome Frost and Johna Frost; and furry friend, Hershey.

Family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, September 16, 2019, at Salter Path First United Methodist Church.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations can be made to the Carteret County Humane Society at 853 Hibbs Road, Newport, NC 28570.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory in Morehead City, NC.