James R. Sutton, 68, “entered into eternal life” Sunday evening, Jan. 24, 2016, in Whitefish, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jim was born in Chester to parents Robert and Marjorie Sutton on May 21, 1947. He lived in Whitlash until the family moved to Kalispell in 1961 and he graduated high school in 1965. After high school he continued his education at Flathead Valley Community College and, shortly after, graduation joined the Army. In the Army, Jim served in the Vietnam War from 1968 to May of 1969 and was awarded the Bronze Star medal. Upon his return to the states he continued to reside in Kalispell.

He later moved to Michigan and then to Wisconsin where he married his wife, Gayle, in June 1996. They returned to the one place Jim called home, his family’s original homestead in Whitlash.

Mr. Sutton is survived by wife, Gayle; three children, and two stepchildren, Col. Jason Sutton, his wife Christy; Marjorie Gustafson, her husband Carl; Brittany Straatmann, her husband Joe; Colby Hall; and Kristin Shields and her husband Justin. He will be missed by his eight grandchildren, Elisha Sutton, Aiden Sutton, Olivia Sutton, Sienna Gustafson, Jacob Gustafson, Adeon Straatmann, Hunter Shields and Wyatt Shields. He also left behind 10 loving brothers and sisters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son, Jacob Clay Sutton.