Thomas J. Sutton

Thomas Joseph “Tom” Sutton, 80, passed away on October 23, 2024 at his home in Tucson, Arizona. He was born on February 15, 1944 to Leonard Sutton and Shirley Preston Sutton in Long Beach, California. Tom spent his childhood in Gillette, Wyoming; Patagonia, Arizona; and Silverbell, Arizona where his father worked in the mines. During his years at Marana High School, he discovered a love for basketball and was recruited to play for the University of Arizona. Tom loved to tell the story of Coach Bruce Larson joining his family for dinner multiple times to convince his parents that he should go to college and play basketball rather than work in the mines. Thanks to Coach Larson’s encouragement and generous scholarship, Tom attended the U of A from 1963-1967 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In addition to playing basketball, he was an active member in the Delta Chi Fraternity.

Not only did Tom make lifelong friends on his basketball team and in his fraternity, but he met the “love of his life,” a basketball cheerleader named Marie Jenks. They married in 1967 and had two children, Christy in 1969 and Paul in 1975. Tom and Marie were married for 46 years before Marie died of cancer in 2013. As if a grand finale of their love story, Tom passed away on the 11th anniversary of Marie’s death. They both held a strong faith in the Lord, and Tom would want his family and friends to celebrate, rather than mourn, the fact that they have been reunited in Heaven.

Tom experienced a successful 30-year insurance career with Arizona Trust Company and Mueller and Associates before taking on his dream job of managing his father-in-law’s cattle ranch in Luna, New Mexico. He ranched for 15 years before retiring.

Tom, or “Tall Boy” to many, thrived when with his friends. His friendships were vast and enduring because he was a devoted, loyal, fun friend. Tom was a cowboy at heart and he loved sports; he team-roped in small local rodeos, played tennis, handball and fast-pitch softball, enjoyed watching horse racing, and was tough to beat on a pool table. As for golf, Tom’s son, Paul, would tease him, “How can the best putter I’ve ever known have the worst golf swing in the world?”

Tom’s favorite retirement activities were visiting his grandkids on Saturdays with donuts in hand, meeting friends for breakfast at the crack of dawn, playing pool at Shooter’s with his buddies, watching old western movies and listening to classic country and bluegrass gospel.

Tom is survived by his daughter Christy (Dray) Sterling, his son Paul Sutton, his grandchildren Jake and Emma (Christy and Dray's children) and Madeline (Paul’s daughter), and his brother, Jack Michael Sutton. He was predeceased by his wife Marie, his parents, and his sister, Patricia Sutton.

A memorial party will be held at Shooter’s (3115 E. Prince Road) on December 15, 2024 from 2:00-4:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Hospice (520-496-4164), who gave Tom such loving care in his final days.