Ray Kenneth Sutton, 80

Ray Kenneth Sutton, 80, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2005, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2005, at Seneacquoteen Cemetery on West Dufort Road.

Ray Kenneth Sutton was the first child born to Edgar M. Sutton and Julia A. (Dale) Sutton on April 30, 1924, in Sperry, Okla.

In 1934, the family moved to Missouri where they lived until 1940. They moved to California and lived there until 1960 when they moved to Sagle, Idaho. Ray lived in the Sagle area until March 2, 2005.

While living in Oklahoma and Missouri, Ray attended school, completing eight grades. While living in California, he went to work and helped the family through the depression years.

Ray was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1943. He was in England, France and Germany during his service years. He was honorably discharged in 1946. When he returned home from the service, he drove a milk truck and did well drilling with his father and brothers. The job he most wanted to be remembered for was driving a logging truck.

After returning from the service, he joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was an ordained minister. After moving to Idaho, he became pastor at the Vay, Idaho, branch of his church.

Ray never married. He loved children and always enjoyed his brothers and sisters and their children. He lived at the family home until his parents passed away. He then moved to Kootenai, Idaho, where he lived until his health made it impossible for him to live alone. He moved to an apartment made just for him at his sister's home in the Sagle, Idaho, area. He lived there until his death on March 1, 2005.

Ray enjoyed spending time with his caregiver, Scott Gammon. He also liked to go shopping at Yoke's to visit the friends he made there at the store. He enjoyed watching Jeopardy and The Wheel of Fortune on TV. He like to go for long rides on his power chair, taking his dogs along. He was loved and respected by everyone that met him. He will be greatly missed by his brother, sisters and their families.

Ray is survived by a brother, Craig Sutton of Clark Fork, Idaho; sisters, Edna Bossom of Ponderay, Idaho, Carol (David) Gilson of Sagle and Sherry (Lawrence Kelley of Gold Creek Road, Sandpoint. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Joe, Roy and Edd.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint, Idaho.