Editor's note: The following was provided by the family of Christopher Guthrie.

Christopher Guthrie, of Brewton, Alabama, passed away early March 19, 2022. He was 23 years old. Guthrie was in his fifth academic year as a Midshipman First Class in the Virginia Tech Naval ROTC program and was a 2021 graduate of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. He excelled in his studies, earning a place on the Commandant’s List each semester. He was near completion of a degree in aerospace engineering with minors in leadership/service and Russian.

Guthrie was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, on January 14, 1999, son of Cristi Harwell Guthrie. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Brewton, Alabama.

He was an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow, a second degree Black Belt,  a proud member of the Highty-Tighty Regimental band, brass ensemble, and was a volunteer member of the Appleton Fire Department. He held numerous positions during his four years in the Corps: Platoon guide, Cadre, Tuba Section leader, fire team leader, squad leader, and Honor Court Defense Counsel. He also served one year as the Virginia Tech Housing Authority Secretary. He loved the outdoors and especially loved camping and hunting. He was a member of numerous campus clubs including scuba, fencing, swim, mixed martial arts, and ski.

He is described as a loving son and brother willing to help anyone, anytime. He was a kind-hearted young man with a dry sense of humor, strong opinions and a love for debate. He enjoyed intellectual conversations and was known for his directness. 

In addition to his mother, he is survived by a sister, Taylor Guthrie; maternal grandmother, Pat Harwell; paternal grandfather Gregg Guthrie; paternal grandmother Judy Guthrie; numerous aunts and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Huey Harwell and his father Greg Guthrie, Jr.

The family will receive visitors at 1pm Saturday, March 26, at Brewton First Baptist Church  with funeral services by Rev. Ron Headley following  at 2 p.m. The burial will be at Flomaton Cemetery. A livestream of the service may be viewed at: www.fbcbrewton.com.

A memorial service on campus at Virginia Tech will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, gifts to Chris Guthrie’s memory can be made through the Virginia Tech Foundation to create a memorial scholarship for Chris in the Corps of Cadets. If we do not reach our goal to establish a scholarship all donations will be applied to honor him in the Corps. Please make checks payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation, in the memo line list Memorial Scholarship for Chris Guthrie and mail to Attn: Sandi Bliss, 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Or online: www.givingto.vt.edu/corps please select other and in the comments section list Memorial Scholarship for Chris Guthrie in the Corps of Cadets. 

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