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Gary Sutton Obituary
Gary Sutton, 63, of Chandler AZ passed away on Tuesday, April 7th, 2015 in his home from heart failure after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Gary was a loving father, grandfather and sibling. He will be missed by many, including his children, Robert & Robin, grandchildren Ander & Aidan, siblings Joe, Don, Janet and their families, Chip, Shaunna, Jane, Molly, Abby, Mike, Matthew & Jordan. Gary was a graduate of Chandler High School (class of 1969 and Arizona State University. He went on to earn an MBA from the University of Southern California and became a decorated pilot in the U.S. Air Force. After that he continued his flying career with Northwest & Delta airlines. He will be remembered most for his deep love and commitment to his family and for his infectious sense of humor. He also loathed tomatoes with a passion. Services will be held Sunday, April 26th at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler, AZ at 2pm, followed by a celebration of life at San Tan Brewery at 3pm.
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Memories and Condolences
for Gary Sutton
Pat Bunce Taber
April 30, 2015
Gary was one of the sweetest guys I have ever known. My dad was in the air force and was in Viet Nam the year I spent my sophomore year at Chandler HS. Gary sat behind me in English and made that the most fun class I had and have always cherished his friendship. Rest in peace Gary and know you will be remembered fondly and often.
April 29, 2015
I was so sorry to hear of Gary's death. As a classmate at CHS Gary was always friendly to and liked by everyone. He was definitely one of the good guys. He will be missed.
Barbie Tarilton (Vandiver)
JAY ANDERSON
April 29, 2015
From the minute I met Gary, 30 years ago, I knew we were kindred spirits. Gary warmed up every room that he ever stepped into. He had some very unique God given talents, and he put them to His purpose. We will all miss him. God Bless Gary Sutton.
Toni Lewis-Lamb
April 29, 2015
Thank you for your Friendship and Funny moments shared at our previous reunions. My sincere sympathy to your Family and Children. You will be Missed.
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April 27, 2015
So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Gary and his wonderful family were a great anchor point to Deb and my moving to the Valley of the Sun in 1987. His smile and good humor helped us to adapt to our new environment. His friendly spirit and accepting ways will continue through our memories of him. Love to all the Suttons. Deb and Larry Green
Donna and Dan Slocum
April 27, 2015
Our condolences to your family. You will be missed, Gary. You always had a smile on your face. Nothing seemed to get you down. What fun we had in school and After we all graduated. Class reunion meetings and reunions themselves. We are sorry we couldn't attend your memorial service, we only found out today. We certainly would have been there for you and your family. Donna and Dan Slocum.
Barry & Carolyn Dille
April 27, 2015
Gary's memorial service was so very nice & touching. Especially about his last flight.
Steve Reynolds
April 27, 2015
We have laid you to rest my Brother and your passing brought back those long ago feelings we shared in life's hopes and dreams...You were a true life-long friend and a Brother to a number of us...You will be in my heart and thoughts for the remainder of my life...rest easy now...we will be along shortly...
April 27, 2015
Gary was truly one of the "good guys", always nice to everybody. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Margie Lane (Vandiver)
Ruthe Willingham (Speights)
April 27, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Judy Burghout
April 26, 2015
I am so sorry I did not see Gary's obituary in the Az Republic. I would have loved to have attended his celebration of life. He was always very kind to me and fun to be around whenever our families got together. I did not realize he was ill and my condolences go out to his family. I would have loved to see you all. And Jerry also sends his sincere sympathy. Judy and Jerry Burghout
Don Repan
April 26, 2015
So sad to hear of his passing. Gary was a friend in high school and I remember he always seemed to have a smile on his face. My deepest condolences to his family.
LeLon (Lon) Reed
April 26, 2015
Gary set a good example for us all. Football Quarterback and Co-Captain, Homecoming King and Senior Class Pres. But most of all, a great guy that was nice throughout his life. Thanks Gary.
The man and his Porsche.
April 26, 2015
Gary was a great guy and I enjoyed the one ride I had in that car. We drove by the high school. Cruising the high school with Gary Sutton in his Porsche; if it had been 40 years earlier, it would have been the coolest thing ever. It was still cool.
April 25, 2015
To Gary's family, I am sincerely sorry for your loss. I remember playing sports with Gary in Jr High. I looked up to him literally because he was tall and I was short but as a person I admired him for his friendliness and for the confidence he demonstrated. In high school we did not play sports together but he is one of those persons who made Chandler such a good memory. May he rest in peace.
Joe Garcia
Mark MacVittie
April 24, 2015
We always had a good time when we got together over the year, Gary will be truly missed.
Carolyn Dille
April 24, 2015
Barry & I were very saddened to hear of Gary's passing. He was such a good guy. He will be missed. Prayers to the family.
Sherry (Hamzy) Dibble
April 24, 2015
Gary was one of those rare people who made everyone feel at ease from the moment they met him. He was a great classmate and more importantly a genuinely good guy. My condolences to his family.
Marlene Anderson
April 23, 2015
Gary was one of the good guys we were lucky to know. My condolences to the family.
Rest in Peace Gary well done my friend... you will be missed greatly..
Connie Eckenrode-Cathey
April 23, 2015
Alan Jaffe
April 23, 2015
My sincerest sympathies to the Sutton family. Flew with Gary at NWA & DAL, always a pleasure to work with, and have on the crew. He will be missed by all of us.
OC Miller
April 23, 2015
Absolutely one of the best guys! I am so sorry to hear that he has passed. My sincere condolonces.
Steve Filipas
April 22, 2015
I flew with Gary several times over the years at NWA & DAL. He was always a great guy to have on the crew. He will be missed by all, my sincerest condolences to all his friends and family.
Rich Siakel
April 22, 2015
Gary was always a pleasure to be with, both in the cockpit and out. He will be deeply missed.
James Mitchell
April 22, 2015
Very sad to hear this. Gary was a dear friend of my brother Ralph and I got to know him through that relationship. I know Ralph valued his friendship from Chandler High School forward.
Gary Sutton with his daughter Robin on a plane.
Donna Deatherage Erno
April 21, 2015
I was saddened to hear of Gary's death. He was truly a wonderful, friendly boy in high school, but I was too shy to express my admiration then. Years later, as a Facebook and Classmates.com friend, he revealed his greatest hope to find someone to share his life with. After his lifetime of accomplishments, I was glad he found someone. Godspeed, Gary. Here is one of my original unpublished poems to you:
Come up the darkened stair, love,
My hand is outstretched, love,
Come up, because the world
Looks different from up high.
The dove is descending,
And your life's not ending,
Beginning
The Book is open wide
To the page,
This moment of your life.
Until we meet again, Gary. Your friend,
Donna Deatherage Erno
Michelle (Veno) DeSimone
April 21, 2015
I have so many good memories of funny things Gary used to do and say during our high school years at CHS and they continue to make me smile as time goes by. Gary will ever remain the charming guy with that friendly smile and a laughing look in his eye, just waiting to share a joke with a friend. From afar a "parting glass" will be raised in his name.
Mary Jo Viavattene
April 21, 2015
The last few years was a Challenge, but Gary you always had a smile. I'll miss cooking for you and especially drinking our favorite wine together.
DENISE NAVARRO
April 21, 2015
You will be missed deeply. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.
With all my love and blessings for the family in their time of need. May the many happy memories shine through your grief.
Denise Navarro
April 21, 2015
Thanks for the wonderful memories of our 34 years of marriage. The best part was our two beautiful children Robert and Robin. I have always loved you and will miss you deeply. Thanks be to God that you are at peace. We will meet again in heaven. All my love Karen Sutton
Robert Sutton
April 21, 2015
Rest in peace, Dad. We love you.
Denise Russey Ballard
April 21, 2015
I am so sad to hear of this passing. Seams like jus yesterday we were all still in school. Gary had a heart of gold. RIP my friend.
Carl Jacobson
April 21, 2015
I knew Gary in high school where he was an outstanding athlete and natural-born leader. He was more than willing to help others try to improve.
We talked during the 20th and 40th Chandler High School reunions, where I learned of his career as an Air Force pilot, which sounded fascinating.
As a pilot for Northwest and Delta, he used to get over to Asia frequently and we talked of meeting up there. Unfortunately he became ill and retired before that happened.
My condolences to his family. May Gary rest in peace.
Jo Ann Hannum
April 20, 2015
You will be truly missed. Your family and friends have so many loving and humorous memories of you. RIP, my friend.
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