James L. Sutton (Ret.) Col.

Col. James Louis Sutton, age 87, a resident of Albuquerque, died Sunday, July 15, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Claire Lee Sutton of Albuquerque, NM; sons, Mike Sutton of Albuquerque and Rory L. and Sarah Sutton of Houston, TX; grandson, Jeremiah Louis Garner Sutton of Houston, TX; and his brother, Jesse Sutton and wife Marjean of Omaha, NE. Other survivors include his many brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews by marriage. Col. Sutton received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Texas in 1951 and his Master's Degree from Purdue in 1957. Col. Sutton served his country with the US Army for 31 plus years. In 1968, he led the 19th Engineer Battalion (Combat) in Vietnam. He was decorated with the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and Air Medal. The Sutton family located to Albuquerque with the Corp of Engineers. James was a member of the Kiwanis Club since 1961.Jim was President of the Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque 1985-1986, Lt. Gov Southwest District Kiwanis1988-89, honored with a Hixson in 1999 and a Kachina Award in 2002. Both the Hixson and Kachina are awards given for community service. He and Claire worked at the Balloon Fiesta for the Kiwanis Club for many years and remained active in the club until his passing. Services will be held on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, 10:30 a.m., at French - Wyoming Chapel. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to the Wounded Warrior Project in memory of Col. (Retired) James Louis Sutton at 4899 Belfort Rd., Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or woundedwarriorproject.org.