John Sutton Jr.

John H. Sutton Jr., passed away in a local healthcare facility on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016. John Sutton was a devoted husband of 56 years, a loving father of two daughters and a kind hearted grandfather of two grandchildren. A lifelong resident of the area, John graduated from Central High School and attended the University of Chattanooga. He was a well known home builder and commercial developer in the Chattanooga and North Georgia areas for over 40 years. During his career, he was founder of John Sutton Construction Company, as well as Seasons Properties Inc. John was a pioneer in the development of commercial real estate in the Highway 153 and Shallowford Road area. He developed many subdivisions throughout Hixson and the surrounding Chattanooga area and also played an active role in single-family tract home development for affordable housing. John was very active in the Chattanooga Homebuilders Association, serving as past-president and Lifetime Spike Member. He mentored numerous young builders and developers in and around Chattanooga. A lover of Jesus Christ, John was a very generous man who supported many ministries and individuals in ministry. He was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, Tenn. John was also a founding member of the Kiwanis Club in Hixson and a member of the Lions Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, John H. Sutton Sr. and Hazel Freeman Sutton; siblings, Pat Hawkins Mynaugh, Jerry Freeman Sutton and Sidney Gary Sutton. Survivors include his wife to whom he was devoted to for 56 years, Gloria Hudson Sutton; daughter, Juliana Sutton; and daughter and son-in-law, Jan Sutton Smith Langley and Mike Langley; grandchildren, Hudson Edward Smith and his wife, Christine, as well as Meredith Anne Smith and her husband, William Lloyd; sister-in-law, Gwen Hudson Vanlandingham; and many beloved nieces and nephews. The family would like to personally thank Dr. Franklin for his excellent care and concerns, as well as the nurses, Chaplin, and staff at the Bridge of South Pittsburg for their kind and gracious care. A funeral to commemorate his life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, in the chapel of Hamilton Funeral Home with Pastor Dick Fisher officiating. Entombment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens, Hixson, Tenn. The family will receive friends for visitation Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, from 2 to 5 p.m. and on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, from noon until 2 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be donated to the Chattanooga Kidney Foundation, the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, 423-531-3975.

This obituary was originally published in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.