Ben Ellis Sutton

Memorial services for Ben Sutton will be held at Marvin United Methodist Church on Friday, August 26, 2016 at 11:00 A.M., with a reception to follow in Pirtle Hall. Dr. Doug Baker and Rev. Gerry Giles will officiate. Ben died on Monday, August 22, 2016 of cardiovascular complications. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. He was born in Camden, Arkansas on December 2, 1923 to Ben Ellis Sutton, Sr. and Ruby C. Sutton. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bill Sutton. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth T. Sutton, a niece, a nephew and numerous cousins. For most of his life he lived in Texas where he was involved in the oil and gas industry with employment at Sinclair Oil and Gas and Anadarko Production Company and later as independent. After graduating from Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio, Ben volunteered to serve his country in the Army Air Corps during World War II. When the war ended, he resumed his education pursuit at Tyler Junior College, where he was many years later honored as the 2014 Distinguished Alumnus. Ben received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas in Austin. He was recalled by the Air Force during the Korean Conflict to serve for two years. Ben had an insatiable passion to serve God and Mankind. He was a member of Marvin United Methodist Church for more than forty years, where he served in many capacities including President of the Friendly Bible class. He was a longtime member of the Men’s Layman group at Marvin. Mr. Sutton was a Master Mason and a member of St. John’s Lodge for more than 60 years and had been a member of Sharon Shrine for more than 50 years. He was a charter member of the Fort Worth Scottish Rite. Ben was active in many oil and gas professional and industry related associations including the American Association of Professional Landmen, the American Association of Royalty Owners and the Texas Alliance of Energy producers. Ben served for six years on the Tyler Planning and Zoning Commission, two years of which he was Chairman. He was very active in many civic and cultural associations including the Tyler Civic Theatre, where he served on the Board of Directors for more than 30 years, after which he was given honorary board status. He also served as President of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association. If desired, memorials can be made to the Marvin United Methodist Church Eternal Flame Fund, 300 W. Erwin St., Tyler, Texas 75702, the Ben Sutton Scholarship Fund at Tyler Junior College, 1327 Baxter Dr., Tyler, Texas 75701, The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Foundation - Children’s Miracle Network, 100 E. Ferguson, Suite 800, Tyler, Texas 75702 or a charity of one’s choice.

Ben Ellis Sutton

December 2, 1923 - August 22, 2016