Byron Carlisle Sutherland

Byron Carlisle Sutherland, Jr., age 92, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2022. He was born on July 19, 1930, in Houston, Texas to Viola Augusta Schelling Sutherland and Byron Carlisle Sutherland, Sr. Byron attended McGregor Elementary School, Johnson Jr. High, and graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1948, and from the University of Houston in 1952. While at U of H, he met Juanita Faye Stone, the love of his life, thanks to alphabetical seating in a government class. They were blessed with three children, Katherine, Stephen, and Suzanne.
Byron and Juanita married on November 26, 1952. Shortly after their wedding, the native Texans moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where Byron was assigned to the Army Ordinance Corps, where he worked in the early missiles program. After completing his time in the Army, he returned to Houston and spent many years working as an engineer in the geophysical and oil exploration industry. During his time in this field, he traveled extensively worldwide and obtained numerous U.S. patents. Later, he was employed by General Electric at NASA, where he worked on several components of the Apollo program and the first moon landing. The last 12 years of his career were spent in medical device design and manufacture, first at Baylor College of Medicine and finally as a partner/owner of a private medical device company. Byron was a Freemason for over 70 years and reached the level of Master Mason. He was a member of Shadycrest Baptist Church.
Byron is preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Stone Sutherland, and his parents, Viola and Byron Sutherland. He is survived by daughter, Katherine Koch and husband Wayne; son Stephen Sutherland; and daughter Suzanne Danz. He is also survived by grandchildren Heather Franklin and husband Cris; and Bethany Koch. He also leaves behind great-grandchildren David, Danielle, Josiah, and Micah Franklin.
Burial will be private.