He always addressed me as Mister Jim—and I always told him to stop calling me Mister.
The Intermedia Outdoors family has lost one of its most valued and talented writers—and just all-around good guy.
J. Guthrie, 37, died April 12. Why is it the good die young? Quick wit, outgoing, always made everyone feel comfortable and welcome. “Mister Jim, pour yourself a drink, pull up a chair, and let’s talk,” he would say in that casual, southern drawl.
J. was a special talent, a special friend. Think deep-fried catfish, gumbo, jumbalaya, black-eyed peas, ham hocks, and turnip greens—and his love of firearms, hunting and shooting—when you remember J. Guthrie. This good old boy was as southern as southern gets. His family had roots in the Deep South, and he was proud as hell that he had family fight for the Confederacy during the Civil War.
When I phoned to tell him I wanted him to write the back page column of Guns & Ammo, there was complete silence—then an abrupt, “Do you have the right phone number? … Do you really want me to follow in the footsteps of Jeff Cooper? I idolized Jeff. You need to know, Mister Jim, I’m no Jeff Cooper.”
When I assured him he was the writer I wanted to pen the column, he paused again, and said, “Mister Jim, it’s an honor. I won’t disappoint.”
He didn’t, true to his word as always. Was he the perfect writer, always on deadline? No. But he was as honest as the day is long, and he always respected the magazines and editors he wrote for, including Shooting Times, Petersen’s Hunting, RifleShooter, Game & Fish and North American Whitetail.
J. also was a contributor to Guns & Ammo TV, and he was hellbent on making the show the best shooting show on cable TV. Some of his best work was done in the last year, when we filmed our “Direct Fire” segments. When we were discussing the informational and entertainment elements early on for this 13-week segment, I had no question who needed to play a major role. It was J. Guthrie, hands down.
J. also worked on our Modern Rifle Adventures and Ruger Inside & Out television shows.
When we were early in the planning stages of launching Modern Rifle Adventures, I was asked by my superiors which writers in the group would be the perfect fit for this ground-breaking show on modern sporting (AR) rifles. Without hesitation, I said J. Guthrie and Dick Metcalf. J. was the brash, young rookie, Dick the seasoned veteran. They played off each other so well—it was simply pure joy to see them grow into their roles.
Dick recalls, “I’d tell him everything would be good if he’d just remember I was the hero and he was the sidekick. He’d say, ‘We ain’t makin’ no John Wayne movie, old man . . .’” J and Dick worked together on three of our TV shows, all told. “I loved that boy,” Dick says. “He was my partner and my brother. He was larger than life. My world today is so much smaller without him in it.”
Again, J. didn’t disappoint. He never did.
J. now joins the ranks of talented writers who contributed to Guns & Ammo over the years, those who are no longer with us—to name just a few, Elmer Keith, Jeff Cooper, Bill Jordan, Bob Milek, John Wootters and many, many others.
J., we will meet again down the road—just remember, don’t call me Mister.
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We Will Miss Him Deeply
J. Guthrie – a man that that provided warm and glowing light to every room he entered, every conversation he participated in, and in every one of the many, many friendships he enjoyed. I will miss him deeply, not only for his unique style and genius in all his media contributions he left us with, but because of the strong professional relationship we enjoyed. J. was a wonderfully strategic negotiator – and it was damn hard not to love working with him on any project. J. brought levity, insight and creativity to every project we worked on, and to every person he touched. He had a lighthearted saying for every situation, and could make me laugh at the toughest situations we faced. Few people have the gift of binding together so many people of so many backgrounds, but J. created bonds that corralled all people to him. My heart goes to his wife, children and family, and his passing from us is a gift to those he now shares the Heavens with. I will sorely miss you J.
—Mike Carney, Senior VP, Group Publisher, InterMedia Outdoors
A Toast to a Great Friend
I have fond memories of a 2011 hunt I did with Guthrie, a name he wanted his friends to call him. We hunted antelope in New Mexico when he and Donna Boddington were guests on Benelli on Assignment. We were with outfitter, Kirk and Roxy Kelso, during a two-day season, which was far too short and went way too fast (see attached photo: from left, Guthrie, Kirk Kelso and Joe Coogan). We had a great and successful time and laughed a lot, thanks to Guthrie. We always talked about hunting together again, and as recently as last week, I’d hoped he could join me on a South Texas turkey hunt, but regrettably his busy schedule did not allow.
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his family at this most difficult of times. And for all who knew Guthrie, I have no doubt there will be many a toast of Maker’s Mark raised around campfires all over the world—here’s to you Guthrie, save some game for us.
—Submitted by Joe Coogan, Benelli USA
A Successful Hunter
J. Guthrie took a nice true swamp talker with 1 3/8-inch spurs at Osceola Outdoor with Zack Moye. As Guthrie said, “I put the ole snake charm on that boy!” And damn if he didn’t dump the bird a little over 40 yards to kill the bird with those No. 7 loads.
—Submitted by Zach Moye
An Industry Favorite
This is just unbelievable. I’m heartbroken. Utterly heartbroken for his wife and children and those so close to him. I’ll miss the “Miss Lisa” he’d greet me with all the time. I attended a writer event at Blackwater in 2008 that we (Mossberg) hosted, and he was there—it’s where this pic was taken. J. had me laughing for three days straight and immediately he became one of my favorite industry people.
—Submitted by Lisa Baker, Mossberg
A Family Hunt
J. Guthrie, John Guthrie and myself were on a turkey hunt in South Carolina and just had lunch. J. decided to take a nap with his dog. Two hours later, we got him up and into the woods.
—Submitted by David Morin
A Man with Energy and Passion
I first met J. when his new show, Modern Rifle Adventures, started airing on Sportsman Channel a few years back. I was handling the PR for the show and needed his help on understanding the gist of the show and where he wanted to take it. Even though our first correspondences were via email, I could sense his energy and passion for all things outdoors. When I finally met him at SHOT Show, it was like I knew him for years. You will be missed J.
—Submitted by Michelle Scheuermann, The Sportsman Channel
We Called Him Brother
Guthrie hunting with Osceola Outdoors and killing his turkey on March 7, 2013. At this time, he was filming for Ruger In and Out TV. Guthrie has left his mark on Osceola Outdoors and will forever be remembered and greatly missed!! I felt honored to have known him and am glad to have called him a brother!!
—Submitted by Mike Tussey
One of the Best Gun Writers
RIP J. Guthrie. A humorous storyteller and a fountain of information. One of the best gun writers I’ve had the pleasure to hang out with in my travels. This photo is from my first traveling assignment for InterMedia Outdoors. Photo taken in Memphis in 2010.
—Submitted by Alfredo Rico
Doing What He Loved
J. Guthrie seen here shooting a new rifle and round from Federal Premium for an article for RifleShooter at Osceola Outdoors.
—Submitted by Zach Moye
