James O. Sutton, Jr., age 84, of Warner Robins, passed away Thursday, September 16, 2004 at the Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins. Mr. Sutton was born February 22, 1920, in Irwin County, Georgia to the late James O. Sutton, Sr. and Ann Paulk Sutton.
He joined the U.S Army Air Corps in 1941, later serving in the Air Force from 1947 to 1972. He retired from the United States Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel with almost thirty two years of service He served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Lt. Col. Sutton lived in Boynton Beach, Florida after his retirement, where he worked as Director of Materials at R.E.L. Inc. for thirteen years. He moved to Warner Robins in 1990. He also lived in Tokyo, Japan, Izmir, Turkey and Taipei, Taiwan during his military career. Lt. Col. Sutton was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner.
Mr. Sutton was an avid golfer, shooter, hunter and fisherman. He loved hunting trips to Nebraska with his son, grandson Alex, nephews and cousins. He also loved taking long fishing trips to Alaska, British Columbia, and Idaho with friends. He got special enjoyment from travel with his beloved Emily, regularly scheduling cross-country jaunts to see family and friends. Mr. Sutton was member of Ocilla Baptist Church and the Al Sihah Shrine in Macon.
Mr. Sutton is survived by his wife: Emily T. Sutton, Warner Robins; a son and daughter-in-law: Col. (USAF, Ret’d) James O. and Dawn Sutton, Ogden, Utah; three grandchildren: Jennifer Sutton, San Marcos, TX, Alex Sutton and John Sutton, both of Ogden, Utah. His first wife, Jimmie Tripp Sutton, preceded him in death in 1995. Mr Sutton is also survived by literally hundreds of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins from around the world.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Sunday, September 19, 2004, at Ocilla Baptist Church, with Rev. Gerald Thomas and Rev. Don Brewer officiating. Interment will follow in Brushy Creek Cemetery, Irwin County. Visitation will be held from 7:00 until 9:00, Saturday evening at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Memorial contributions can be made in Mr. Sutton’s name to the charity of the contributor’s choice or the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Georgia, 301 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA, 31201.