Deacon Jack Sutton, a deacon of 31 years in the Archdiocese of Denver, passed away Oct. 17. He was 82 years old. He last ministered at St. Mary Catholic Church in Littleton.
Jack Sutton came into this world on March 6, 1936 to Cecil and Helen Sutton in Peoria, Ill. As a convert to Catholicism, Sutton was confirmed at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Palo Alto, California on April 17, 1967.
On December 17, 1967, Sutton married Kathleen Braun at St. Xavier Catholic Church in San Francisco, Calif. Jack and Kathleen raised two sons, David and John. His family also includes four grandchildren.
He spent three and a half years in the United States Air Force. Completing his obligation to his country, he took a position as a Sales Manager for Franklin Carpets in Denver. After spending almost three years at Franklin, he was a manager and part owner of a startup company called Contract Design Services. Then, in 1985, he started his own small business in Englewood, called Contract Interiors, that he successfully developed until he retired due to his health.
Deacon Sutton was ordained a deacon May 9, 1987 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception by Archbishop Francis Stafford and was assigned to All Souls Church for three years. In his 31 years as a deacon, he had assignments at Blessed Sacrament, Holy Name, Sacred Heart, Christ the King and St. Mary’s parishes. He was also assigned to the Cathedral. Deacon Sutton was very active with additional ministerial assignments as well.
“Deacon Jack was concerned with doing the Lord’s work as a Servant of Jesus Christ,” said Deacon Joseph Donohoe, Director of Deacon Personnel for the archdiocese. “Many deacons learned from him the characteristics of a deacon by his instructions and his example. The people he has blessed with his life is beyond counting. He will be missed by his brother deacons.”