David F. Guthrie

David F."Buddy"Guthrie, Jr. Mr. David Franklin "Buddy" Guthrie, Jr. of Halifax, died on October 14, 2011 at his home. He was born June 30, 1929 in Nathalie, VA., the son of late David F. Guthrie, Sr. and Elizabeth Hodges Guthrie and was married to Edna Fisher Guthrie. Mr. Guthrie was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church, having served as member and Senior Warden of the Vestry, and was a long- standing choir member. Despite blindness from an early age, he pursued higher education at Ferrum College, then graduated from Lynchburg College in 1953 and Washington and Lee Law School in 1956. He had already passed the bar exam with his sister reading the questions for him. A member of the Halifax County Bar Association and Virginia State Bar Association, Mr. Guthrie practiced law in Halifax for over 50 years, receiving a citation from the Virginia Bar Association in June 2006. He also was the Halifax Police Court Justice from 1957 until the Police Court was absorbed into the General District Court. He served on the Halifax Town Council for 12 years, and was active in the Halifax Lions Club, and served as secretary on the Commission for the Visually Handicapped. A musician since high school, Mr. Guthrie earned spending money by playing in a dance band in college and he supplemented his income by playing in Mickey Blaine's dance band while building his law practice. Mr. Guthrie was known for his inspired saxophone playing, but was also proficient with bass guitar and other instruments. His love of music continued throughout his life, and he always welcomed a chance to gather with friends to play bluegrass or jazz but may be best remembered for playing banjo for children of all ages. In addition to his wife, survivors include one son, David Franklin "Trip" Guthrie, III and wife Kimberly, and grandsons Fisher and Frank. In addition to his parents, Mr. Guthrie was preceded in death by one daughter, Sarah Thornton Guthrie, sister Jen Lea Guthrie Yancey, and brother Falcon Hodges Guthrie. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, October 18th, at 11:00 a.m., at St. John's Episcopal Church, Halifax with Father Gary Butterworth officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday October 17th, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at St. John's Episcopal Church and all other times at the home. For memorials please consider St. John's Episcopal Church in Halifax, VA or St. Judes Children's Research Hospital or a charity of your choice.