Stephen Richard Sutton

Stephen Richard Sutton passed away from cancer at home on November 5, 2019.  He was 59.

Steve was born in Clovis, NM May 23, 1960 to Elmer and Patricia Sutton. He grew up “all over the world” due to the various postings of his father, a career Air Force man. The family eventually settled in Victorville, CA, and Steve graduated from Victor Valley High School in 1978. He attended Victor Valley Community College for two years before transferring to Cal State San Bernardino, where he earned a BS in Operations Research Analysis in 1983. 

Moving to Ridgecrest, CA, Steve went to work for the Navy in 1986. He met his wife, Ruthann Hanover, on a blind date in 1987 and they married in 1988. Steve retired from the Navy in 2014 and he and Ruthann moved north to Idaho to enjoy what was intended to be a long retirement.

Steve has always been a big motorcycle fan, and nothing said vacation to him like going on a long motorcycle trip. Steve had many hobbies and a wide range of interests. He was curious about almost everything, especially the way things work. He delighted in helping friends and neighbors, especially if it meant using a tool he happened to own or knowledge he possessed.

The Green Bay Packers were another of Steve’s passions and he was delighted to attend a game in Green Bay in the snow in person. He even brought his “cheese head” to the game with him. He owned a single share of the team and kept the stock certificate framed above his desk. He often wore Green Bay t-shirts and hats.

Steve loved nature. He enjoyed visiting National Parks and out of the way places. He liked to take pictures of every place he’d been. He liked to hike, but also to dirt bike into back country. And he loved to laugh. He loved meeting new people, finding connections between them and exchanging life stories. People were endlessly fascinating to Steve and he truly never met a stranger.

Steve leaves behind his wife, Ruthann Hanover Sutton of Middleton, ID; daughter, Holly Lynn Sutton and Chris Trammel of Yakima, WA; and son, Matthew Richard Sutton of Middleton, ID; mother, Patricia Sutton of Victorville, CA; sister, Tina, Johnny, Jake, and Jack Lopez of Victorville, CA; sister, Tracy, Paul, Caitlyn, and Nicole Ackerman of Colorado Springs, CO; and brother-in-law, Steven and Arla Hanover of Tulsa, OK.

No service is planned at this time.

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