Darryl Christopher "Chris" Sutton

Darryl Christopher "Chris" Sutton, born on Aug 17, 1964 in Halifax County, Virginia, passed away on Jan 03, 2013 in Columbia, Maryland. Related memberships: Lincoln University Alumni Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Nu Chapter Howard University Alumni.

Obituary

Dr. Darryl Christopher Sutton “Chris” was born on August 17, 1964 in Halifax County, Virginia. He was the youngest child of Gladys Marie Sutton, an English teacher and James Ray Sutton, Sr. a postal employee of Baltimore, Maryland, who both preceded him in death. Interestingly, “Chris” was born while the family was on a summer vacation in his mother’s birthplace of Clover, Virginia. Visiting Clover and his father’s birthplace of Edwardsville, Virginia was a passion of Chris’ throughout his life.

At a young age, “Chris” or “Bay”, a nickname given to him by his mother, because he was the youngest child, was baptized and became a member of City Temple Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

A brilliant student, and inspired by the example of his parents and older siblings, “Chris” was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System. He graduated from the “A” Course which was one of the foundations of his development as an intellectual at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, “Poly” in 1982. Poly was also the place he met his future college roommate, fraternity line brother and lifelong friend, Eddie Wilson.

“Chris”, following his older brother Leon, in what he described as another good decision, in 1982, entered the Laser Program, an advanced engineering program at the oldest historically, black university, Lincoln University, in Oxford, Pennsylvania.

Thus began a lifelong relationship and journey as a “Lincoln Man”. It served as the foundation for the varied accomplishments, which filled and completed his life.      

“Chris” became “Spock”, his line name, in 1986, as he pledged and became member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Nu Chapter. “Spock” embodied the principals of Alpha, as a “Servant of All” and dedicated his life to serving and bettering mankind.

Following Lincoln, “Chris” continued his pursuit of academic excellence, receiving a Master’s degree from Penn State University, completing the coursework for a Doctorate degree from Northeastern University in chemical engineering and, then obtaining a doctorate degree in chemistry from Howard University in 2007.

Dr. Sutton had a distinguished and varied work background, which included serving as a chemistry professor at his beloved Lincoln and working as a patent examiner for the U.S. Patent Office.

“Chris” was a  lifetime sports fanatic and accomplished sportsmen in football, basketball, and track in the youth leagues in Baltimore City. Later in life, “Chris” was a youth baseball coach, working with his Brother and coaching nephews and neighborhood youth. A diehard Baltimore and Maryland sports fan Chris, tirelessly followed the University of Maryland, Orioles, Colts and Ravens.

An earnest music enthusiast, “Chris” dazzled generations of Baltimoreans and Lincolnites as a club and house music deejay. He first deejayed at Lincoln, while in high school and continued making house and club music CD’s up to the time of his death.

It was at Lincoln that “Chris” met the former Renee Cort, as an undergrad in the early 1990’s. Their love grew from this initial meeting and they were married in 2007.

“Chris” loved children and was the favorite uncle, cousin and friend for the many children that enhanced his life. Fulfilling, three dreams beyond his imagination, Chris was blessed with the birth of the jewels of his life, his daughters Kelci, Se’lah and Sameenah.

Described as quiet, this was genius of “Chris”. Both humble and understanding, behind the scenes he was a rabble raiser. Thoughtful and intellectual, “Chris” was the unknown adviser, tutor and confidant for all who sought his advice. Many do not know, Chris often wrote op ed articles in response to wrongs he perceived in society.  Following the legacy of his father, Chris also had a jokester’s spirit and was legendary for his quick wit and wry humor.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife Renee, three daughters; Kelci, Selah, and Sameenah, sisters; Wanda Sutton and Tanya Sutton, brothers; James Sutton Jr. and Leon Sutton, nieces; Adrienne “Missy” Sanago, Talea Gillespie, Chanel Sutton, Lylisa Long-Sutton, Sherronda Long-Sutton, Treasure Sutton, and Taylor Cort, nephews; Warren Sutton, Leon Sutton Jr., Leon Sutton III, Aaron Sutton, and Tyler Cort, Cousins who looked to him as an uncle and father figure; Kelly Thomas, Kory Thomas, Kayla Thomas, and Bryan Graham, neighbors friends and family unlike, Goddaughters; Jeaneathia and Janetta. “Chris” was preceded in death by parents Gladys and James Sutton Sr. and elder sister Cicely Wilson.

 The viewing for Darryl Christopher Sutton will take place:Monday, January 7, 2013 from 6pm-8pmMiller's Metropolitan Chapel3109 Erdman AvenueBaltimore, MD 21213
The Memorial will take place:Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 12 noonBridgeway Community Church9189 Red Branch RoadColumbia, MD 20145