Norman Guthrie grew up in and around Charlotte, North Carolina. After receiving a master’s degree in Textile Science and Technology he and his wife, Nancy, located in Rutherfordton, NC in 1964. He spent the next 38 years in senior management of textile fabric manufacturing. In 1982 he and Nancy relocated to Marion, North Carolina, and he is retired. He has two sons and one daughter, and he is the proud grandfather to two grandsons and four granddaughters. He has served his community on several boards in McDowell County including The McDowell Hospital and the Board of Health for Rutherford, McDowell and Polk Counties. He fits in as much time as possible for the game of golf which he calls a “way of life” rather than a game.