Born on August 23, 1947, in Macon, Georgia, Tom graduated from Cathedral High School in Lafayette, Louisiana, in 1965, where he was an outstanding basketball player and named to the All-State team. He then earned a basketball scholarship to Loyola University. His aspirations to attend Loyola Dental School were redirected when the dental school closed its doors. Undeterred, he transferred to Louisiana State University to complete his undergraduate studies and achieve his dream of becoming a dentist, graduating from the LSU School of Dentistry in 1976.
Tom dedicated over three decades to his dental practice in Mandeville, Louisiana, enjoying his patients and tending to his award-winning butterfly garden outside his office. Above all else, he delighted in spending time with his grandchildren and watching them play sports.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Denise (DeGruy) Sutherland; his loving daughter Meghan Sutherland Lambremont, and her husband Mark; and his grandchildren Clare, Luke, and Andrew. He is also survived by his siblings John Sutherland; Barbara Harris (Thomas); Charles Sutherland (Debbie); Mary Sutherland; and Brian Sutherland (Kelly), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Charles Eugene Sutherland and Ruth Pirie Sutherland.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Grace Funeral Home located at 450 Holy Trinity Drive in Covington, Louisiana. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM prior to the service at noon.
Inurnment will follow the service in St. Lazarus of Bethany Memorial Garden, adjacent to Grace Funeral Home, following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Tom may be made to Ozanam Inn OR The Samaritan Center. Donations may be either mailed to Ozanam Inn, 2239 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70119 OR The Samaritan Center, Inc., 402 Girod St., Mandeville, Louisiana 70448 or can be made at https://www.ozanaminn.org/donations.html OR https://www.samcen.org/donate/.
