James Clayton "Clay" Sutherland

1977 - 2018

James Clayton ""Clay"" Sutherland, age 41, passed away Thursday, December 13, 2018, from an apparent heart attack at his home in Nashville, TN. He was born on August 29, 1977, attended St. Paul Christian Academy and graduated from Christ Presbyterian Academy. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL.

He is survived by his parents, Clarence and Susan Clayton Sutherland; his son, Christian Clayton Sutherland; sister, Julia Clare Sutherland; maternal grandmother, Mrs. Percy Allen Clayton, Jr., of Memphis, TN; aunts, Jane Sutherland Carson of Greenville, SC; Sarah L. Clayton of Baton Rouge, LA; and Laura Clayton West of Memphis, TN; uncles, Kirkman (Elizabeth) Sutherland of Pegram, TN; and Percy Allen Clayton, III of Memphis, TN; and many cousins.

Clay spent much of his youth with his grandfather, fishing and learning to shoot, both in Florida and Potts Camp, MS, and enjoyed many summers at Camp Alpine in Mentone, AL. He became an expert marksman, a passion that continued throughout his life. He received his pilot's license when he was 18 and studied aviation business at Embry-Riddle. He was a natural with electronics and building and repairing things, and he made his living doing every kind of construction. He most enjoyed working alongside his father on various projects and spending time with his son, Christian. Clay loved people and truly never met a stranger. He was a founding member of Covenant Presbyterian Church and more recently of Stephens Valley Church.

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, January 5, 2019, at eleven o'clock at
Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 with The Rev. Matthew Lewis and The Rev. S. James Bachmann, Jr. (Stephens Valley Church) officiating. Visitation with the family at the church following the service.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to Stephens Valley Church "Building Fund", 7000 Executive Center Drive, Bldg. 2, Ste. 125, Brentwood, TN 37027, or Open Table Nashville "Micro Home Village" Attn: Ingrid McIntyre, 2901 Glenclif Road, Nashville, TN 37211 or to the charity of your choice.