Thomas D. Sutton

June 26, 2024 at 10:54 a.m.


Thomas Delma Sutton, 71, of Perry, Florida, died from complications of Type 1 diabetes on June 14, 2024, at Margaret Dozier Hospice House in Tallahassee.

Tom was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, to Thomas Delma Sutton, Sr., and Ora Leila Scott Sutton of Ponce De Leon, Florida.  

At the age of two, he and his family left Florida to follow his father’s career as an ironworker, moving to multiple towns in multiple states.  Tom attended over 30 schools, graduating high school from Union School in College Corner/West College Corner, Ohio and Indiana.  He cherished those College Corner memories and friends for the rest of his life.

Tom returned to Florida after graduating from high school and helped care for his ailing father.  After his father’s death, Tom served honorably in the US Navy as a Photographer’s Mate.  After the Navy he worked several different jobs, retiring as vice-president from Mulliniks Recycling of Jacksonville.  In his spare time, he loved to garden; he especially loved growing heirloom tomatoes.

Tom was a member of St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral in Tallahassee and attended regularly until his health failed.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters C. Jane Merritt, F. Nan Richards and Sheridan L. Skoda; brothers-in-law Clyde Merritt and John Skoda; infant brothers Joshua and Duncan; and a niece, Kimberly Horn Glauner.

He is survived by: his wife, Joan Sutton of Perry; his children, Rebecca Sheffield and her husband Patrick of Tallahassee, and Elizabeth Eastman of Perry; his grandchildren, Natalie Eastman of Perry and Sutton, Zoe, Molly and Samuel Sheffield of Tallahassee; a granddaughter in-law, Karlie Lynn of Jacksonville; a brother-in-law, Ed Richards of Ohio; a niece, Debbie Clark and her husband L.C. of Perry, nephews George Merritt and his wife Lisa of Alabama, Jeff Merritt and his wife Deborah of Tallahassee, and Rod Horn, Scott Richards and Tom Richards, all of Ohio.  He is also survived by a host of cousins, great- nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Burns Funeral Home in Perry on Saturday, June 29, 2024, with Bob Scott officiating.  Interment services will be at the National Cemetery in Tallahassee on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. All arrangements are under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Perry.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Union School Alumni Association, c/o Tonya Paddock, 6675 S. County Road 200 E., West College Corner, IN 47003, or St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral (stpetersfl.com), 4784 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32309.

Paid obituary.

Thomas Delma Sutton, 71, of Perry, Florida, died from complications of Type 1 diabetes on June 14, 2024, at Margaret Dozier Hospice House in Tallahassee.

Tom was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, to Thomas Delma Sutton, Sr., and Ora Leila Scott Sutton of Ponce De Leon, Florida.  

At the age of two, he and his family left Florida to follow his father’s career as an ironworker, moving to multiple towns in multiple states.  Tom attended over 30 schools, graduating high school from Union School in College Corner/West College Corner, Ohio and Indiana.  He cherished those College Corner memories and friends for the rest of his life.

Tom returned to Florida after graduating from high school and helped care for his ailing father.  After his father’s death, Tom served honorably in the US Navy as a Photographer’s Mate.  After the Navy he worked several different jobs, retiring as vice-president from Mulliniks Recycling of Jacksonville.  In his spare time, he loved to garden; he especially loved growing heirloom tomatoes.

Tom was a member of St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral in Tallahassee and attended regularly until his health failed.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters C. Jane Merritt, F. Nan Richards and Sheridan L. Skoda; brothers-in-law Clyde Merritt and John Skoda; infant brothers Joshua and Duncan; and a niece, Kimberly Horn Glauner.

He is survived by: his wife, Joan Sutton of Perry; his children, Rebecca Sheffield and her husband Patrick of Tallahassee, and Elizabeth Eastman of Perry; his grandchildren, Natalie Eastman of Perry and Sutton, Zoe, Molly and Samuel Sheffield of Tallahassee; a granddaughter in-law, Karlie Lynn of Jacksonville; a brother-in-law, Ed Richards of Ohio; a niece, Debbie Clark and her husband L.C. of Perry, nephews George Merritt and his wife Lisa of Alabama, Jeff Merritt and his wife Deborah of Tallahassee, and Rod Horn, Scott Richards and Tom Richards, all of Ohio.  He is also survived by a host of cousins, great- nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Burns Funeral Home in Perry on Saturday, June 29, 2024, with Bob Scott officiating.  Interment services will be at the National Cemetery in Tallahassee on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. All arrangements are under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Perry.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Union School Alumni Association, c/o Tonya Paddock, 6675 S. County Road 200 E., West College Corner, IN 47003, or St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral (stpetersfl.com), 4784 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32309.

Paid obituary.

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