Walter Sutton 89, Brawley
Sept. 10, 1928 - Nov. 15, 2017
Walter Edwin Sutton, 89, passed away on November 15th at his home in Brawley, California.
Walt was born September 10, 1928, to Sheldon and Sylvia (Post) Sutton in Long Beach, California.
He graduated from Excelsior High School in 1946 and served 1950-1952 in the Army, stationed in Germany. He worked as a machinist before moving to Imperial Valley in 1958 to start his own custom harvesting business. He also farmed with Fred Myers.
Walter married Joyce Henderson of Calipatria on August 3, 1958, and they made their home in Brawley. Their eldest child was born on their first wedding anniversary. Their second child was born the following year while Walt was on a hunting trip.
Walt was an avid hunter and outdoorsman for his entire life, for many years making annual hunting trips with his cousin Milo Rainey. He had a variety of “customized” off-road vehicles over the years, which were not immune to capsizing on steep hillsides. He and Joyce were charter members of Desert Wildlife Unlimited. He was a past member of BPOE #1420.
After a near-fatal accident in 1987, Walt underwent a determined recovery. Over the years since, he never stopped his efforts to recover from various physical setbacks and to maintain an optimistic outlook.
Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Sutton; his parents, Sheldon and Sylvia Post Sutton; and his siblings, Lucile, Donald, Ann, and Martha.
He is survived by his children, Kenneth Sutton of Somerville, Massachusetts and Kelly Vitt of Brawley; grandson, Russell Vitt and son-in-law Steven Vitt of Brawley; brother-in-law, Jack Leopard of Paso Robles, California; sister- in- law, Muriel Crum of El Centro; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; devoted caregiver, Nadia Arvizu.
Per his request, no services will be held. Family members will receive visitors 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 21st at the Stockman’s Club.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Pioneers Memorial Hospital Foundation (pmhd.org/foundation-community) or to Compassion and Choices (compassionandchoices.org).