Gerald Sutton
Gerald
Sutton of Boise bravely fought a 10-year battle with cancer, and passed from
this life on Nov. 15 at age 74. The eldest son of Willie French and Vergie Mae Sutton, he was born on Sept. 22, 1936, in
Pembroke, N.C., on a farm where the family raised cotton and tobacco. He was
especially proud of his Lumbee Indian heritage and
attended Indian Normal School in Pembroke. He joined the Air Force in 1954 and
was stationed at Mtn. Home AFB where he met his wife, Linda Marie Smith. They
were married 51 years. His tours of duty included Vietnam, where he was a 1st
Sergeant and was awarded a Bronze Star. He retired after 20 years of service. After his military career,
Gerald went to work for UPS in Boise as a package and feeder driver. A leader
to fellow employees, he loved to give direction and help others, and was active
as a union shop steward. He was always up for a good chat and had a new joke
for every encounter. He also loved to tease and was an innocent flirt. He and
Linda enjoyed tailgating and going to BSU football games, particularly when son
Greg was on the team; spending time at the family cabin and playing with his
grandkids. Gerald never met a stranger and had an uncanny knack for running
into people he knew, no matter where in the world he traveled, or making a new
friend on the spot. Retirement from UPS in 1975 didn't slow him down. He helped
with annual Air Force reunions and attended what he called "Old Guy
breakfasts." A longtime member of the First Congregational Church, he
served on committees and as an usher. Even through his cancer treatments, he
had a joke or kind word for all. He was an amazing and inspirational husband,
father, grandfather and friend. Gerald is survived by his wife Linda Marie,
daughter Lezlee Sutton and son Greg Sutton (wife
Hamilton), and four grandchildren, William Yeattes,
Harrison Yeattes, Cooper Sutton and Ayla Sutton; as well as siblings Pauline, Ronnie, Edward,
Carolyn, Melba, Ernie and Janet, plus Aunt Mildred and a large extended family.
The Suttons would like to thank everyone at the Cancer Care Center, where he
received such great care, particularly Drs. Jeffrey Dzieczkowski,
Michael Mallea, Karl Schultheiss
and Joe Williams. Sincere thanks also to the Home Health staff, Four Rivers
Hospital, and the Visiting Angels. Viewing is Thurs., Nov. 18 at 6:00 p.m.;
memorial service Fri., Nov. 19 at noon, both at Alden-Waggoner, 5400 W.
Fairview Ave., Boise. Graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with full
military honors at the Idaho Veterans
Memorial Cemetery. At 3:00 p.m., everyone is invited to celebrate Gerald's life
at his favorite eatery, Nam King Restaurant, 4624 W. State St., Boise. Its
owners, the Huis, are very much a part of his
extended family. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American
Cancer Society or a favorite charity.