Herbert Sutton Jr.

Sutton
Herbert Gipson Sutton, Jr. passed into the hands of God on March 19, 2011. He is survived by his wife Louise of 58 years and his children Nancy Sutton Levick and her husband Kent, Mike and his wife Kathy, and Tom and his wife Dana. He is also survived by his grandchildren who he loved dearly and was very proud of, Evan Larwood and her husband Cal, Erin Riker and her husband Andrew, Megan, Brad, Emily & Thomas Sutton along with numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends. He is preceded in death by his brothers Billy Sutton & Jimmy Sutton.
Herbert was born in Jasper, Texas to Herbert G. Sutton and Mary Elizabeth Pebworth Sutton on October 19, 1928. He grew up in and around the community of Colmesneil, Texas in Tyler County.
Herbert attended public schools in Colmesneil and later the Allen Military Academy in Bryan, Texas. He then attended Lamar University in Beaumont before transferring to The Rice Institute (now Rice University) in Houston. After graduation from Rice in 1949, Herbert returned to Tyler County, Texas where he worked for the engineering and construction firm that was building what was then known as "Dam B" on the Neches River between Jasper and Tyler Counties. During this time he met the woman who would become his wife, Louise Hooper.
In 1951, Herbert joined the Army in advance of receiving his draft notice. After basic training Herbert was assigned to the Engineer Officers Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He graduated from OCS, received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army on June 17, 1952 and was married to Louise that same day. Herbert shipped out to Korea soon after graduation from OCS. In Korea he commanded a rock quarry that supplied materials for military projects. When the Armistice between the Koreas was signed, the need for military construction materials was reduced and Herbert was given the opportunity to return home. He received an Honorable Discharge and returned to Woodville in Tyler County with Louise in 1954.
While in Woodville, Herbert worked for Cheshire - Sutton Construction Co doing primarily oilfield construction. During this time Herbert expanded the business to include roads, bridges and dams around Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. He and Louise also had two children while living in Woodville, Nancy & Mike. In 1956, Herbert and Louise moved to Beaumont, Texas. In Beaumont he and Louise had their third child, Tom. In 1960 Herbert and Louise moved to Houston. Herbert, his father and two brothers formed the partnership known as Sutton and Company. This partnership was in a variety of businesses over the years including timber, oil & gas, trucking, banking and manufacturing. Sutton & Co, LP continues in business today managing the family's mineral interests in Southeast Texas.
While in Houston, Herbert developed a gardening hobby that kept him busy and active for many years. He obtained Master Gardener status and was active in the Men's Garden Club of Houston, serving in several positions including President. Herbert also served quietly on church committees at Tallowood Baptist Church and later at Grace Presbyterian Church. He kept in touch with his friends from Engineer Officers Candidate School and traveled to several reunions. He and Louise hosted the OCS class reunion in Houston one year. They also traveled in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Egypt before health issues began to make travel impractical.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church at 1:30 on Tuesday March 29th. A graveside service will be held at the family plot at Magnolia Cemetery in Woodville, Texas on Monday, March 28th at 1:30pm. Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home, Woodville Texas 409-283-8218, will administer graveside services. The family requests with gratitude that contributions be made to the Herbert Sutton Memorial Fund at Grace Presbyterian Church, 10221 Ella Lee Lane, Houston, TX 77042.