Baker City, Oregon
Ort George Guthrie, 76, of Baker City, died April 6, 2002, in Baker City.
His funeral was at 2 p.m. April 12 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2625 Hughes Lane. Burial was at Mount Hope Cemetery.
George was born on Oct. 10, 1925, in Fresno, Calif. He completed elementary school at Dunlap, Calif., in a one-room schoolhouse. He then attended high school in Fresno. During his high school years he boarded with many families, earning his way on his own, and learning many of the skills, work habits and ethics that he used throughout his life.
He answered the call to arms for his country during World War II and served in the U.S. Navy until the end of the war. He attained the rank of motor machinist mate 3rd Class and was an engineer and gunner on LCMs and LCNPs during invasions, landing troops and supplies on the islands of the Pacific.
After miliary service he married Marion Rose Marsik and moved to Oregon. They started a family in 1948 and had five children. In 1954, George moved his family to Baker City and started the Baker Valley Septic Tank Service. He also started Guthrie Distributing, dealing in scrap metal.
With the urging of some friends, he opened a gun shop in 1960. It was called George’s Custom Firearms and was located on Campbell Street. This was his most noted business. His gunsmithing and stock-making abilities are still talked about today.
During the late ’70s and ’80s, fur trading and trapping took up his work time. With the passing of time, he returned to his love of firearms and gunsmithing.
George loved the outdoors, trapping, hunting, fishing, archeology, anthropology and most any nonfiction book. He also enjoyed gardening and canning produce from his gardens. George baked a great pie and was known for telling a great story or two.
Survivors include his two sisters of California; and his five children, Steven Alan of Baker City, John Marsik of North Powder, Barbara Lynn of Colorado, Ort Scott of Haines, Timothy George of Colorado; and many grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, April 19, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
