Ted Randall "Corky" Sutherland

Ted "Corky" Randall Sutherland went home July 14, 2024. Ted was preceded in death by his father and mother, Fred Wallwork "Ted" Sutherland and Faye Alice Collier Sutherland. He is survived by four children, Marti Sutherland, Katie Stakley, Trey Sutherland and Trevor Sutherland; four grandchildren, Nicki McCauley, Dylan Golden, Caleb Stakley, and Bishop Sutherland Vidal; his sister Judy Sutherland Eichar; niece and nephew Paige Eichar Grothusen and Jarrod Eichar. Also, by his many cousins who were very special to him.
A warm and loving father and friend to many, Corky enjoyed dancing, laughing, and big hugs. Oh, and chocolate! Texas A&M was Corky's Alma mater, and he was a proud Aggie. He served as a veterinarian technician in Vietnam, working with injured military dogs. Doctors flew to Vietnam from Walter Reed Medical Center to commend Corky for identifying a parasite in a slide that was devastating the working dogs, having previously believed the dogs were suffering from poisoning. His love and curiosity for animals never ceased. He often brought home injured animals for the family to rehabilitate. We never knew what we would find in our house after school: a flying squirrel, a snake, a raccoon, or an alligator in the bathtub.
After returning to Florida from Vietnam, Corky worked in the phosphate industry as a chemist in labs for several years, enjoying hunting for megalodon teeth with his family in the phosphate pits on the weekends. Corky later developed equipment that floated on the sludge left behind by mining phosphate to help reclaim land for redevelopment and started his first business, Ted Sutherland Construction Company. Later, he formed Alturas Planting Enterprises (APE), planting trees, and manicured highway swales. He served as a Boy Scout leader and enjoyed teaching camping, fishing, and a love and respect for the outdoors and nature.
The Sutherland's are a large Scottish clan and Corky was very proud of his Scottish and English roots. We researched our ancestry together, knowing that many of our ancestors were great Patriots having fought in many pivotal and historic battles in this nation. Corky took much pride in his heritage and patriotism.
He was very close and loyal to his family, helping his father and brother-in-law herd cattle for market, tend to the orange groves, and mend fences. More than once, Corky tangled with a bull and got a good goring by the horn or suffered a head-butt from a cow. He helped birth many calves and nursed them when their mothers couldn't. Corky was raised always to be a good friend, offer a helping hand to those in need, and enjoyed seeing someone smile. He loved singing, especially in church. A good hymn was never forgotten, even to his last day. He was a country boy through and through and enjoyed country music. Corky never lost his love for dancing; it was one of his biggest heartaches in the last years of his life that he was no longer able to dance due to damage from Parkinson's disease.
Daddy is dancing again!
All are invited to attend the formal service on Friday at Busnell and/or the family celebration of life at the family homestead.
There will be a Celebration of Life at the family homestead. It will be a homestyle covered dish get together. Lots of laughs, memories, stories and love. Details below.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations via A Tree to Remember or via R F Orchids
A Tree to Remember
https://www.memorialtree.com/plant-a-tree
R F Orchids
(305) 245-4570
https://g.co/kgs/RHfSe7c
Please have all R F Orchids Orders delivered to:
Martha Sutherland-Vidal
114 NW 49th Street
Miami, FL 33127