Joe Newman Guthrie

Graveside services will be at 2:00PM Tuesday, September 6 at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Officiating will be Mr. Joe Baisden. Joe Newman Guthrie, 95, of Belton, died September 2 at his home. He was born July 27, 1916 in Jones County, Texas to Mattie Jordan Guthrie and Jeff Davis Guthrie. His childhood was spent in various locations in east Texas, and in Burnet and Bell counties. Mr. Guthrie joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934 and served near Waxahachie. On June 17, 1939, he married Nora Dean Kokos of Waxahachie. In April 1942 he volunteered for the U.S. Army, serving on active duty with the U.S. Army Air Corp and the Army Medical Corps. He was a member of the Ready Reserves for nineteen years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. After service in Germany, Mr. Guthrie built his first house on seven acres outside Belton, and in 1953 he established the Main Food Store at the corner of North Main and Sixth Avenue. Mr. Guthrie and Otis Powell became partners in 1959 in Powell and Guthrie Real Estate. He was also in real estate development with Mr. Powell and Dr. J.G. Sewell. Mr. Guthrie was preceded in death by his wife, Nora and by eleven sisters and brothers. He is survived by two daughters, Melinda Guthrie and Deborah Guthrie, both of Belton.