Sept. 2, 1921 — April 29, 2016
Herbert Burrows Sutton, 94, passed away Friday, April 29, in St. George, Utah, from causes incident to age.
Surviving family members include his wife of 64 years, Nancy Kathryn (Numbers) Sutton; three children: James “Jim” Gregory Sutton (Sara), Lisa Anne Teague and William “Bill” Arthur Lee Sutton (Gayle); 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Born on Sept. 2, 1921, Herbert had a special childhood, growing up surrounded by many extended family members from both sides of the family in rural northern Missouri, primarily in Bethany and Cainsville.
Herbert graduated from Tulsa Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Following his honorable discharge on Feb. 9, 1946, from the 3218th Signal Service Company of the United States Army, he attended the University of Missouri where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948.
Herbert started his professional career as a test engineer for General Electric Company, followed by various assignments with W. R. Grace Company, Lenkurt Electric and then with Farinon Electric Company, where he went on to a very successful career in sales of microwave telecommunications equipment at the beginning of the technology boom in the early 1960s.
Herbert’s Spanish language skills that he learned in high school and college and his interest in Latin America were instrumental in advancing his professional career, as it gave him opportunities for positions that others were not able to take. He was offered a position in Peru because of his Spanish-speaking skills, and that assignment was very significant not just for the advancement of his career.
It is in Peru that he met Nancy, who was serving in the U.S. Embassy there at the time. That meeting ultimately led to their marriage that spanned more than six decades.
Herbert had many interests, including tennis (during his college years), golf, flying (over 2000 hours as a private pilot), fishing, hunting, good music of all kinds, American history and Family History.
Herbert was a self-made man. His family remembers him as being a man of principle and integrity. He was most proud of his family and said so on many occasions. Many people often remark that life is too short, but Herbert said that he had lived long enough to do and accomplish all that he wanted. He said in his personal history, “For family and friends that might lament my passing, when that time comes, I would say do not grieve in my behalf. You should all have had half as good a life as I have enjoyed!”
The Sutton Family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to those at Canyon Home Care and Hospice and especially to those at Beehive Homes of St. George (Memory Care), who provided wonderful and loving care and assistance in Herbert’s last months on this Earth. He is now with his loved ones and his Heavenly Father.
Funeral Services
- A private graveside service will be held at the time of interment at St. Charles Cemetery in St. Charles, Idaho.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221.
For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit Metcalf Mortuary online.