James L. Guthrie

James L. Guthrie, age 92, of Ashton, Maryland passed away on July 10, 2023. James, an organic chemist, moved to the Ashton area in 1964. He was employed by the Central Research Division of W.R. Grace & Company from 1961 to 1991, having previously worked at Pittsburg Plate Glass Company in Corpus Christ, Texas from 1956 to 1961. He had numerous patents in the areas of adhesives, polyurethanes, photopolymers, and paper technology. He was a member of the American Chemical Society and of Sigma Xi for more than 50 years and was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Mr. Guthrie was born in Lawrence, Kansas in 1931, was raised in Keuka Park, New York, graduated from Oberlin College, then earned a doctorate in Organic Chemistry at the University of Missouri (Columbia). He married Mayola B. Pohlmeyer in 1958. They had no children.

Jim had a lifelong interest in ancient history, especially early sea voyaging and in the origins of the American Indians. After retirement, he contributed to several books on these topics and wrote articles for both amateur and professional: journals on genetics, epigraphy, and on the evaluation of controversial artifacts.

A Visitation will be held on Friday July 14, 2023, at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville, P.A., Clarksville, MD from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. With a Graveside Service to follow at 1:30 PM at Columbia Memorial Park.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James L. Guthrie, please visit our floral store.