BEECH BLUFF, Tenn. — Thomas Stephen Guthrey,

age 81 of Beech Bluff, Tenn. (and formerly Collierville, Tenn.) died peacefully at home on September 24, 2021. A memorial service will be held on October 30, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Beech Bluff Methodist United Church, 29 Luray Road, Beech Bluff, Tenn. 38313.

He was born July 8, 1940, in Little Rock, Ark. He graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1958 and attended Memphis State University. He served as an air traffic controller in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1966 followed by a 31-year career as an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Memphis, Tenn. Following his FAA retirement in 1998 he further continued his air traffic control expertise as an instructor with Raytheon.

Tom had a love of gardening, fishing, golfing, hunting, raising English Parakeets, walking with the neighborhood dogs, watching wildlife and listening to his grandfather clock chime! His story telling and dry humor always kept his family and friends entertained.

Tom is preceeded in death by his father, Leonard Parks Guthrey, Jr.; his mother, Athalie (Bobbie) Stout Guthrey; and brother, Leonard Parks Guthrey, III.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sharon Louise Guthrey; sister, Melanie Kay Guthrey, daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and John Keenan; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Theresa Guthrey; granddaughter, Taylor Keenan; and grandsons, Andrew Keenan, Wesley Guthrey and Wyatt Guthrey.

Donations may be sent to the Scarlet Rope Project, P.O. Box 7937, Jackson, Tenn. 38302, or online at scarletropeproject.com in lieu of flowers.