Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Carlton L. Guthrie

(September 15, 1952 – May 09, 2026)

Carlton Lyons Guthrie, a pioneering entrepreneur, deeply committed philanthropist, and devoted family man, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026, at the age of 73, surrounded by his loving family. Carlton fought a valiant, years-long battle with an aggressive form of leukemia with the same determination, optimism, and dignity that characterized his entire life.

Carlton’s life was defined by a deeply held personal mission: “You have to give some to get some.” Grounded in the enduring values instilled by his parents, Willie and Mary Esther Lyons Guthrie, Carlton dedicated his life to expanding opportunities for others, particularly the youth in his cherished hometown of Gary, Indiana.

Beloved Family Man

Carlton is survived by his beloved wife of many years, Dawn-Marie of Roxbury, Massachusetts—a chef, foodie, and caterer who brought endless joy and culinary delight to their lives.

He was an incredibly proud father to his daughter, Carille Guthrie and his son, Adam Guthrie (Erin), from his marriage to Dr. Danille Taylor. He was the doting grandfather to Miles and Noelle, who will grow up knowing the profound strength and warmth of their grandfather.

He also leaves behind his devoted siblings—including his brother and business partner Michael (Valorie), brother Joseph (Glenda), and sisters Dr. Sheryl Lucas Giles (John) and Cynthia Johnson (Ronnie), stepmother Mildred Guthrie, and stepbrothers Lonnie Jones, Jr, Richard Jones and Damien Lee, mother-in-law, Patricia Carrington, brothers-in-law Richard Francis and Jonathan Irving, along with a large, loving network of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends in Georgia, the Chicago area, and across the country.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Mary Guthrie, and his grandparents.

Detroit Chassis proudly welcomed 35 high school seniors from Pershing High School, accompanied by three dedicated chaperones and special guest Mr. Raymond Bell of Schoolcraft College, for an inspiring career exploration and learning day.

From the moment the students entered the lobby, they were greeted by upbeat music that set the tone for the visit. The Finance team—Brian Salisbury, Finance Director; Dubrece Miller, Sr. Accountant; Miriam Osho, Accounts Payable; and Dave McClerren, Purchasing Manager, escorted the group to the Family Room. There, an impressive group of Detroit Chassis leaders awaited them, including Dennis Edwards, President; Edwina Milligan, VP of HR; Phil White, Plant Manager; Kamilah Taylor, Safety Manager; Yehia Harajli, VP of Engineering; and Ranson Smith, Director of Process Engineering and Quality.

The program opened with a warm welcome from Dr. Linda Ratliff, who encouraged students to embrace their potential and envision careers in manufacturing. Dennis Edwards then delivered a dynamic company presentation, highlighting Detroit Chassis’ commitment to innovation, quality, and community partnerships.

Following the presentation, Phil White divided the students into four groups and paired them with tour guides for a firsthand look at Detroit Chassis operations. Leaders and Associates across the plant engaged the students at each workstation, sharing insights about processes, safety, and the importance of teamwork in building world-class products.

The day was more than just a tour—it was an opportunity to connect, inspire, and open doors for future talent.

Dennis Edwards, President, said in an email to the team…Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to support the students from Pershing High School. The students expressed gratitude for learning about our business, exploring career opportunities, and engaging in open conversations with you.”

Watching the energy on both sides was inspiring—our guests were excited and curious, and our team’s enthusiasm and pride in what we do shone through during the presentations, discussions, and plant tours. You created a welcoming environment that made a lasting impression on these young people.

One lighthearted moment came when I asked Betty if she wanted to share a few words with the students. Without hesitation, she said, “Stay in school and get an education!”—in her signature, no-nonsense style. The students loved it, and several even asked how to apply to join DCP in the future.

Your passion and commitment continue to make our culture productive and inspiring. Thank you again for making this visit meaningful for the students and a proud moment for Detroit Chassis.

Detroit Chassis Celebrates 25 Years of Innovation and Community Impact

Detroit, MI – February 28, 2025 – A spirit of achievement, resilience, and community pride filled the air at Detroit Chassis’ 25th Anniversary Celebration and Black History Month event on Friday, February 28, 2025. The milestone occasion, held at the company’s headquarters at 6501 Lynch Rd., Detroit, MI, honored the company’s journey, its contributions to the city’s economic landscape, and the visionary leadership of Michael and Carlton Guthrie, Co-Chairmen of Detroit Chassis.
The celebration commenced at 11:00 AM, welcoming distinguished guests, business leaders, and employees who have played a pivotal role in the company’s success. Among the event’s many highlights was a special proclamation presented by Congressman Shri Thanedar, recognizing the Guthrie brothers for their exceptional leadership and lasting impact on Detroit’s manufacturing sector.
A Legacy of Excellence
Since its founding in 1999, Detroit Chassis LLC has been a model of innovation, producing premium chassis and vehicle assembly solutions. More than just a business, the company has been a beacon of economic empowerment, providing career opportunities, supporting local initiatives, and reinforcing Detroit’s reputation as a powerhouse of American manufacturing.

Michael Guthrie reflected on the company’s journey in his speech: “When we started Detroit Chassis, our mission was clear—to build world-class products while creating jobs and opportunities for our community. Today, 25 years later, we celebrate our success and the incredible people who have made it possible.”
His brother and business partner, Carlton Guthrie, echoed the sentiment from his remote location. “This celebration is about more than our achievements – the future. It’s about inspiring the next generation of Black entrepreneurs, engineers, and leaders who will continue to drive innovation in Detroit and beyond.”
Honoring Black Excellence and Business Leadership
As part of the Black History Month commemoration, the event illuminated the contributions of Black business leaders, and workforce trailblazers. The Guthrie brothers’ leadership exemplified the strength and perseverance of Black entrepreneurs who have paved the way for economic progress in the city, demonstrated by those with 25-year work anniversaries:

Congressman Shri Thanedar emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting minority-owned businesses in his remarks: “Detroit Chassis represents the best of American industry—resilience, innovation, and commitment to community. Michael and Carlton Guthrie have built a successful business and uplifted countless lives through their leadership. I am honored to present them with this proclamation in recognition of their incredible work.”
Celebration of Community and Growth
The event also featured comments from Ford Motor Company and the Shyft Group, recognition of the many Associates with 25-year work anniversaries, and reflections from longtime community partners: DPD—11th Precinct, JA of Southeast Michigan, The National Association of Black Suppliers Scholarship Fund, and The Children’s Center.
Guests enjoyed a celebratory luncheon, shared personal growth stories and reflected on Detroit Chassis’ unwavering commitment to its workforce and the broader community.
As the celebration concluded, one message stood out: Detroit Chassis is more than just a business – it is a family, a legacy, and a faith-based force for progress. With 25 years of success behind them and a future filled with promise, Michael and Carlton Guthrie remain dedicated to advancing manufacturing excellence and economic empowerment in Detroit.
About Detroit Chassis LLC Detroit Chassis LLC is a leading supplier of chassis assembly and vehicle upfitting solutions, serving major automotive and commercial vehicle manufacturers. Headquartered in Detroit, the company is committed to quality, innovation, and workforce development, driving economic growth in the region.

Motorhome and Commercial Step-Van production suppliers have experienced challenges due to low demand. Some have had to reduce headcount, DCP included.

In an Automotive News article, Auto Supplier Earnings—Why Better Days Could Be Ahead, Michael Guthrie, CEO and Co-Chairman, DCP, stated, “These are hard decisions to make, and realistically, this restructuring should have occurred months ago.”

In a communication sent this week, Michael Guthrie stated, “We will recall associates as work returns and hope they will all return. We want them to find ways to meet their financial needs in the interim, but then prepare to COME BACK HOME!”

While on the home front… “The team is focusing on current production volumes and delivering World Championship quality and performance,” stated Phil White, Plant Manager, DCP.

Economists forecast a bounce back by the third quarter of 2024, and interest rates are already beginning to lower—Fox 2 News Detroit reported that mortgage rates declined to nearly 6.9% earlier this month.

That is good news for us because lower interest rates contribute to purchasing home mortgages, financing motorhomes and help this industry grow.

RV Pro Magazine said total RV shipments in January were up 11.1%. RV Pro Daily forecasted that RV wholesale shipments would increase in 2024 and stated that this year’s expected increase will be 18-23% over last year’s.

Physical, mental, and spiritual health is necessary to sustain and successfully ride this wave. We have been here before. God did not forget us then, and He will not fail us now. He has a plan for us, so stand firm, stay encouraged, keep moving forward and expect great things for DCP, its stakeholders, and everyone associated with this purpose.

DCP Volunteers at The Children’s Center

Detroit Chassis gives back to the community in many ways, and one of the efforts supported is The Children’s Center (TCC). The services they provide are vital to the enrichment of our community. The team volunteered at the 2023 Shop Event and assisted TCC in servicing 1,213 children from 406 families. Savvy Sliders Corporate Office provided food for all the DCP volunteers and the TCC staff.

“Thank you to everyone who took time out of their holiday season to participate in making this a joy and inspiration-filled experience for families. Thanks to the Ford Fund and Ford Motor Company, The Children’s Center was featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on December 19th. The Episode featured an F150 Lightning full of gifts, and TCC was selected as the partner organization receiving the gifts…The Ford Fund will add $10,000 to The Children’s Center grant to cover the cost of all of the holiday gifts… ”

Dennis Edwards, President at Detroit Chassis and member of TCC’s executive and the S-Fund committees, brought his leadership team to volunteer during TCC’s holiday shop. The group spent the entire day on campus greeting families, assisting families in picking out gifts, restocking the store, and organizing donations. We greatly appreciate Dennis for his stewardship and leadership!!

Nicole Wells Stallworth, CEO, The Children’s Center