James Milton Sutherland

James Milton Sutherland, PhD. passed away at the age of 71 on Tuesday March 25, 2025 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN after a short illness. James, who was affectionately known as Jamie or Jim by his loving family, was born January 2, 1954 at Lebanon, VA. He is preceded in death by his parents Milton Lewis Sutherland and Mabel "Jean" Jones Sutherland. Jim is also preceded in death by his brother Robert "Rob" Sutherland" and previous wife Aleta Catron Sutherland. Jim was proud of his heritage growing up in a coal mining community Trammel, VA and, always curious about the natural world. He pursued a scientific education, graduating from Ervington High School, Emory & Henry College with double degrees in Biology and Chemistry, and East Tennessee State University with a Master's Degree in Inorganic Chemistry. He later earned a PhD in Environmental Engineering from LaSalle University. Jim worked as an Environmental Engineer throughout his career, but found time for public service serving as Mayor of New Ellenton, SC. After retiring in TN, Jim had many hobbies including golf, football, baseball, and basketball and volunteered to help with the Blue Cross Blue Shield High School Bowl Game, Cookeville, TN. You could also find Jim on the side lines for a close view to watch David play football and baseball while at Donelson Christian Academy, Nashville, TN and continued to keep up with DCA sports. Jim enjoyed all sports and remained a lifelong South Carolina Gamecocks, University of Tennessee Volunteers, Vanderbilt University Commodores, and Tennessee Titans fan. More than anything, Jim enjoyed attending the games in person getting to visit family and friends. Jim's also enjoyed being a "rockhound" collecting meteorite's and precious gems. But he would say that the rarest gems were his three grandchildren affectionately called "The Three E's": Evelyn Gray Sutherland, Edward Xavier Sutherland, and Elliot James Sutherland of Columbia, SC Jim is survived by his wife Cheryl Russell Sutherland, Nashville, TN. Also survived by his three sons that he often referred to as "my three sons": Timothy James Sutherland and wife Carolyn with the three grandchildren Columbia, SC, Jeremy Robert Sutherland and wife Kristine along with the cat Mason Aiken, SC, and David Michael Russell II and fiancé Emily Nelson with two dogs Daisy and Louie, Lebanon, TN. Jim is also survived by sister-in-law Peggy Sutherland, Castlewood, VA, sister-in-law Vicky Newsom Boyd, Hendersonville, TN and nephew Erik Staton, Hendersonville, TN. Jim was a member of Methodist Church, Cookeville, TN and Jim loved his extended family and friends. A celebration of life service will be held on TBD at:
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