Dr. Thomas Nicholson “Nick” Suddarth, 92, passed away on July 8, 2018 of natural causes. He was born in Concord, MO on October 16, 1925 to John Henry and Zelma Lee (McGahey) Suddarth. He married Jane Katherine Sample on March 1, 1947 in Piggott, AR.
He was predeceased by parents, brothers William Louis, Carl Colin Suddarth and sister Florance Hallie Bartliff, and is survived by brother John Ray (Ruth) Suddarth and sisters Henrietta (Richard) Hughes, Betty Sue Parsons and Martha Jane (Claude) Whitener. In addition to his siblings, he is survived by wife Jane, daughter Katherine Lee Sangiorgi and son John (Anne) Suddarth, 2 granddaughters, Taylor Dawson and Kati Sangiorgi, 3 grandsons, Nick Howard, John Wayne Dean (Britney) and Tyler Suddarth and 3 great grandchildren, Riley, Marley and John Thomas Suddarth.
Nick attended University of Tennessee Jr College, Ole Miss and Arizona State University where he finally earned a PhD in Accounting. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on October 16, 1943 and served in the Pacific Theatre on the U.S.S Honolulu CL-48 and USS Klaskanine AOG-63. Wounded in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Philippines, he received the Purple Heart and was discharged May 1946.
Being an accomplished man, he always strove to provide support and help to those around him to achieve their educational goals, which lead to his career in the educational field - Principal of Wardell High in MO, counselor at West High School and South Mountain High School in Phoenix, AZ and then retiring as Superintendent of Human Resources for the Phoenix Union High School District. He was a member of the Masons, V.F.W., American Legion, Scottish Right, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the First United Methodist Church of Phoenix, AZ.
Nick spent many of his years traveling the world with his wife, always trying to learn more about people and their stories. He proudly sponsored many U.S.S Honolulu and Klaskanine Reunions to spend time with his shipmates he met during WWII while also remembering those shipmates whom have passed. In Phoenix, he was well known amongst the neighborhood kids as a father figure and mentor. One of his favorite sayings to the kids was, “What do you think this is – a jungle park zoo?” Later in life, he loved supporting his grandchildren whether it be by attending a basketball game, helping write a college essay or taking them to Disneyland for the first time. He was kind hearted, funny and selfless by anyone who knew him – truly one of a kind.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Honor Flight Arizona, P.O. Box 12258, Prescott, AZ 86304. Honor Flights take WWII, Korean and Vietnam Veterans on an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC to see their memorials.
Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church 5510 N Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ. Monday, July 23, 2018 at 10 am, followed by reception at First United Methodist Church, Wesley Lounge. For tributes please visit www.almooregrimshaw.com.
