Charles Sutton

PEORIA - Charles M. Sutton, age 73, of Montrose, Colo., formerly of Peoria, died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, at the Hospice Care Center in Grand Junction, Colo.

He was a true cowboy, a rancher, a hunter, a doctor and a man full of the love of God, who loved his family and helping everyone he met.

Chuck, or as he once would have introduced himself, "Doc Sutton," told his wife when they met that he ran a delivery service. It wasn't until weeks later that he "delivered" babies. Even as an Obstetrics and Gynecological doctor, Chuck always remembered the importance of having fun, and the importance of vitamin D. He once had the maintenance man at the hospital run his phone line to the roof so he could soak up some rays while still taking phone calls from patients. It was a beautiful plan until his rigged system took the entire phone system down! Just imagine all he could have done if only he had a cell phone then.

Chuck and Sharon were married in March of 1985. Chuck told his co-workers it was love at first sight. Together they were a team. He was in charge of the morning coffee and she was in charge of finding his keys. First, Chuck would lose his own keys and need to borrow Sharon's. Then he would lose her keys and the searching would begin. They shared laughter, a love for God and a love for each other. Sharon was the love of his life. They were not only husband and wife, they were best friends.

Chuck had an amazing gift of writing and put his BS degree in Journalism to work in the many letters to his children. He always had good advice and comforting words for them. He told them if they had made a mistake, he had probably done the same or worse. He taught them how to ride a bike, drive a car and spit like a boy, even if you were a girl. He taught them the importance of having a personal relationship with God and that sometimes it is more fun to come down Engineer's Pass on the top of the jeep, rather than inside the jeep. Mostly he taught them that he would always be there to catch them.

Throughout his life he caught and cared for all of us, his wife, Sharon Sutton; his children, Lori (Brad) Class of Grand Junction, Colo., Daniel (Roxanne) Sutton of Washington, Ill., Jill Suzanne (Troy) Hodgkins of Peoria Heights, Ill., Chris (Donna) Malone of Brimfield, Ill., and Jillian (Isaac) Gallegos of Grand Junction, Colo.; his grandchildren, Brandon, Amanda, Jacob, Megan, Trenton, Sarah, Kevin, Heather, Andrea, Riley, Noah, Hunter, Tasia and Xander; and his great-grandchildren, Gabe and Grace.

Chuck was born to Edward and Nellie (Hodson) Sutton on Feb. 6, 1940, the same day as Ronald Reagan, who Chuck revered as the finest American in the history of this great nation.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Norma.

Two brothers, Delmar and Harold, survive.

Chuck was a deacon in his church and had a servant's heart. He was passionate about raising funds for the church he loved.

If you would like to continue his work, please send memorial gifts in Chuck's honor to Cedar Creek Church's renovation fund at 222 S. Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO 81401.

A memorial service in celebration of Chuck's life was held on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, at the Cedar Creek Church, 222 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose.

Condolences may also be sent to the family at www.crippinfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colo.