OBITUARY JOHN J. SUTTON

WINSTON-SALEM - John Jackson Sutton, Jr. Jan. 25, 1929 - Nov. 27, 2011 John Jackson Sutton, Jr. entered the Church Triumphant on November 27, 2011, after a lengthy illness. Loved and respected by all who knew him, Jack was a man of faith. He was devoted to his family, friends, and business associates, who will forever keep him in their hearts. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty Belk Pratt Sutton; his three children, John Jackson Sutton, III and wife, Cindy, of Winston-Salem; Katherine (Betsy) Sutton Hoppe and husband, Mark, of Winston-Salem; James Belk Sutton and wife, Virginia, of Charlotte; and seven grandchildren, Jackson and Jenny Sutton, Will and Blitz Hoppe, and James, William, and Bo Sutton. Jack was born on January 25, 1929, in Oneida, New York, the only child of Jack and Helen Sutton. He graduated from Oneida High School in 1947, distinguishing himself both academically and athletically. He attended Dartmouth College, graduating in 1951, although a part of Jack's heart never left the Hanover Plain. While at Dartmouth, he pitched for the varsity baseball team and was recruited by the Brooklyn Dodgers, earning a spot on their farm team in the Maine/New Brunswick League. Upon his graduation from college, Jack enlisted in the United States Army and served for three years in the Counter-Intelligence Corps, ending his military career in Winston-Salem. After working a year for Payne Jones Co. in Lowville, NY, he and Betty moved to North Wilkesboro, NC, where he managed the first Lowe's Store, years before it became known as Lowe's Home Centers, Inc. Despite his success with Lowe's, he dreamed of working for himself. In the mid-1950's, he left Lowe's to form his own independent sales agency, John J. Sutton & Co., which he successfully operated until retiring in 1997. During these years, he continued to serve Dartmouth College as both class agent and president of the Class of 1951. Jack's life was distinguished not only by the love and integrity he constantly showed, but also by the way he lived. For many years Jack served as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church, and as president of the Covenant Sunday School Class, which he regularly attended for more than 40 years. He was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board from 2001 to 2010 and served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Jack was also an accomplished golfer, both as a youth and as an adult, winning the men's championship at Oakwoods Country Club in North Wilkesboro and later at Forsyth County Club in Winston-Salem. Perhaps his finest honor, and the one which meant the most to him, was the "Spirit of '51" Award presented to him by his college classmates in 2001. This award recognized Jack's "admirable career and family life, unfailing goodwill to his fellow men and his undying devotion to Dartmouth." Jack will be greatly missed by us all, but it is with the same confidence of faith which guided his life that his family and friends will move forward, forever holding his memory close to their hearts. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Brookridge Retirement Home and Ms. Cynthia Norwood, whose care and kindness will never be forgotten. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 3, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem, with a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to First Presbyterian Church or the Salvation Army. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.