Edward L. Sutton

Edward Lloyd Sutton, Sr., 86, of Ventura, died Tuesday, March 15, 2011. He was born April 18, 1924 in Detroit to Edward and Margaret Sutton, and had been a Ventura County resident 65 years, coming from Rockford, Mich.

Ed graduated from Trenton High School in Trenton, Mich., and then went to work at a manufacturing plant. Later, he spent 20 years as a welder for the Gas Co., and five years as operations manager at Bank of America, before becoming a sheet metal worker. He retired from R.P. Richards Inc. Construction in 1987.

Edward proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, where he was corporal and flight crew chief in the Burmese Theater. He was also a chief petty officer/steel worker in the Seabee Active Navy Reserves, retiring in 1993.

Edward married Ires Mott July 2, 1949, in the Wee Kirk O’ the Heather Chapel at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. The couple celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary last year.

Ed was a life member of the Channel Islands Lodge #214 F.&A.M. and Order of the Eastern Star, Channel Islands Chapter #78, where he served as associate patron. He was a 32nd degree mason, of Scottish Rite, Ventura Valley, a Knight’s Commander Court of Honor life member, and a member of Al Malaikah Shriner’s Noble, of Los Angeles.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ires N. Mott Sutton; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen M. and Candi Sutton, of El Salvador; daughter, Helen N. Sutton, of Corona, Calif.; grandchildren, Stephanie and Stacey Sutton, of West Hollywood and El Salvador, respectively; brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Nancy Sutton, of Oregon, and Ralph and Mary Sutton, of Auburn, Calif.; sisters-in-law, M. Faithe Lawrence, of Victorville, Calif., Gladys Sutton, of Yreka, Calif., and Nila M. Waltrip, of Corona; and many nieces and nephews in California, Oregon, Wisconsin and Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his son, Edward L. Sutton, Jr.; sister, Katherine J. Sutton; and brother, Gordon D. Sutton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

Friends may visit 3-7 p.m., Thursday, March 17, 2011 and 9-10 a.m., Friday, March 18, 2011 at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Funeral services will begin 11 a.m., Friday, March 18, with the Reverend Dan Hull officiating, and the Channel Islands Lodge #214 F.&A.M. and Order of the Eastern Star, Channel Islands Chapter #78 participating. Interment will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Rd., Ventura, where the United States Navy will render military honors.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, Ventura. Condolences may be left at www.tedmayrfuneralhome.com.