Wayne B. Guthrie

of Montgomery, Texas died on August 20, 2013, after a long illness. He was born in Glenwood, Texas on November 22, 1921 to S.G. and Nina Guthrie, one of their twelve children, who preceded him in death. His is survived by the love of his life and wife of 68 years, Betty; daughter, Amy Gayle Tourville of Beverly Hills, CA., and children Brandeaux and Vincent Tourville; son and daughter in law, Gregory Guthrie and Dona Roberts of Austin, Texas, and children Lauren and Matthew Guthrie; many nieces and nephews, other family members, and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Gary Wayne Guthrie. Wayne was a decorated veteran of World War II, having served as a B-17 pilot in the Eighth Air Force in England. He attended public schools in Texas, Daniel Baker College, and graduated from University of Oklahoma with a degree in engineering. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and was a member of April Sound Church, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a life member of Amvets, a past president of the Spring Branch Lions Club, a life member of The Texas Lions Children Camp, and was an International Accredited Judge, Emeritus, of the Bromeliad Society International. His treatise on bromeliad Latin nomenclature has been translated in five languages, and he was responsible for the re-discovery of Hectia Texensis, a plant thought to be extinct for over a hundred and twenty five years. During his engineering career, he was issued three patents for mechanical inventions and after his retirement from Pyramid Manufacturing Company he and Betty established Torq Teq, Inc. where he served as president and CEO. He loved nature and especially tropical plants. He and Betty made several trips to the islands of the Caribbean, collecting bromeliads. He was an amateur astronomer, held a commercial pilot's license, was an avid bird watcher, and loved boating on Lake Conroe. Wayne lived his life with honor and honesty and had a wonderful sense of humor. His family was paramount to him and he was a loving, faithful husband, father, and grandfather. He was a true patriot and often said how lucky he was to have been born in the USA. He will be missed by those who knew him and he will always have a place in the hearts of those who loved him.