Eric Guthrie was born June 14, 1968 in San Jose, Calif. He passed away at his home in Burns, on Nov. 13, 2024, at the age of 56. At the age of 1, he was adopted by his parents, Eldin and Esther Guthrie and then made his home in Gresham,  where they created many fond childhood memories. He loved his neighbors, the Fitzsimmons. 

He spent many hours exploring the woods behind his house; finding hurt animals such as moles and ducks; and bringing them home to nurse them back to health. His parents had a camping trailer where they spent many weekends at the coast at the Sea and Sand RV Park near Depoe Bay. He loved the coast and enjoyed walking the beach after a storm. That was a happy time for him. Tragically, at the age of 11, Eric’s dad was killed by a drunk driver. Life became difficult for him after that. He went to Mt. Hood Christian school where he fell in love with computers. He got his first computer, a Commodore 64, and was hooked for life. 

He graduated from Mt. Hood Christian school in 1986. At the age of 18 he moved out on his own working various jobs. He enjoyed working at a vet clinic as a technician. He later worked eight and a half years at Riegelmann’s Appliance in Gresham as a delivery driver and installer. In 1991, he decided to take a second job working one day a week at Countryside Pet Spa where Kristine Kehrli was the manager. He worked there for six months until two jobs became too much. He always thought Kristine was married because she wore a ring on her right-hand ring finger. 

One day the boss asked Eric what he thought of Kristine. Eric said “Well she’s married”. The boss said “No, she’s single.” Eric replied, “But she wears a ring.” The boss said “Eric, that’s the wrong hand.” On the last day of work at Countryside Pet Spa, Eric asked Kristine out, so, if she said no, he wouldn’t have to see her again. Well, she said “Yes!” They were married on Oct. 24, 1992. They just celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary. 

Eric always said they were soul-mates. Their first year of marriage they lived in a 30-foot trailer in a peach orchard, until they bought their first home in NE Portland, where they lived for 10 years. Three months after they were married, Eric got strep throat. The way his body responded to the virus was unusual and his immune system ended up attacking his kidneys. His kidneys continued to function for a few years, but in 1997 both kidneys failed. His insurance at the time required him to do dialysis for a year before his name could be put on the kidney transplant list. During that year Eric and Kristine were trained to do hemodialysis at home, which they did. After the required year of dialysis, Eric’s name was placed on the transplant list. At the same time Kristine started the process of becoming a donor. After passing forty different, essential tests plus possessing four out of six of the genetic markers they look for, Kristine got a call at work saying she was a match. It was a God thing, such a miracle. 

In 1998 Eric received Kristine’s kidney. He was told it would last around twelve years, but it lasted over twenty-three years. In 1997, Eric joined the local 48 IBEW, first as a low-voltage electrician’s apprentice, then as a high-voltage apprentice. Eric and Kristine decided it was time to start a family. After nine years with no success, they decided to live out another dream. They sold their house and moved to Lamar, Miss., so Eric could learn horseshoeing. On the same day in September 2004, Eric and Kristine each separately got the feeling God wanted them to move to Burns, home of their favorite camping spot at Page Springs Campground at the base of the Steens Mountains. They rented a home ten miles east of Burns on five acres which they eventually bought. In June, 2006, precious Noah was born. He is such a gift. 

Eric became a stay-at-home dad and loved every minute of it. Noah was his constant companion. Eric was a member of Faith Baptist Church, where most recently he was the worship leader. The church was his family.

In June 2021, Eric lost total kidney function and started home hemodialysis once again. It was a long, hard-fought battle. Eric loved the Lord and loved his family. His favorite thing to do was just spend time with his family. He was very loving, genuine, and generous. He enjoyed singing and especially loved singing for the Lord. He had a great sense of humor, always saying witty things that would take people off guard. He had the courage to be himself, wearing wild colored shirts and goofy hats.

Eric was very empathetic; he could tell when others were hurting and he would come alongside and encourage them. Eric had a gift for connecting with people, making new friends everywhere he went. New faces were just friends he hadn’t met yet. 

Eric was preceded in death by his parents, Eldin and Esther Guthrie; sister, Janet Daniel; brother, John Guthrie; brother-in-law, Rick St. Clair; and nephew, Joshua St. Clair.

Eric is survived by his wife, Kristine; son, Noah; brothers-in-law, Virgil Ennis Daniel, Mike Kehrli and John (Midori) Kehrli; sisters-in-law, Becky St. Clair, Linda (Mark) Bennier and Heidi Kehrli; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial account has been set up at US Bank for funeral and medical expenses.

Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m., at Faith Baptist Church.