James “Jim” Wayne Sutton

James “Jim” Wayne Sutton, born to James Lee and Sharon Lee Sutton on April 20, 1958, at the Methodist Hospital in Peoria, Illinois. Passed away at age 59 on the morning of Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at 9:40 am at the Jordan Creek Nursing Facility in Springfield, Missouri, after a prolonged illness.

Jim was married to Martha Delenna “Deana” Moss, daughter of Lee and Wanda Moss, on March 11, 1978, in Peoria, Illinois, at the Westlake Church of Christ. They were married 35 years until Martha’s passing on March 6, 2013, at the age of 57.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Sharon Lee Sutton, and his wife, Martha Delenna (Moss) Sutton.

Jim is survived by his younger sister, Teri Lynn, his only sibling, and his elderly father, James Lee (age 84) who are both living in Arizona.

Jim was a manufacturing engineer most of his adult working life and specialized in tool design and PLC programming. Jim belonged to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Chapter 321 of Springfield, Missouri, and served in several leadership positions within the chapter over a number of years.

Wherever they lived and worked, Jim and Deana always attended the local Church of Christ. The place they attended together before falling ill was the Sunset Church of Christ in Springfield, Missouri. Jim loved old-time gospel songs. One of his favorite recollections was his Grandfather’s song leading at church while growing up. Specifically: “Heaven Holds All To Me,” ” No Tears in Heaven,” and “I’ll Fly Away.” He wanted these songs to be sung at his funeral service.

Jim and Deana knew each other most of their young lives, as their families attended the same congregations throughout the years growing up. After marrying, Jim and Denna traveled and worked in different places around the country. For a time they lived and worked in West Plains before eventually settling for more than twenty years in Springfield, Missouri.

Jim will be laid to rest beside his wife, Martha Delenna (Moss) Sutton at the Elijah Church of Christ cemetery on Saturday, November 18, 2017. His wife’s family has lived and worked in this area for more than 100 years and Jim and Deana had very strong emotions and ties to this area. This was their final wish to be interred at Elijah.

Funeral services for James Sutton will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Elijah Church of Christ, Elijah, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday, November 18, 2017 from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m.

Burial will be at Elijah Cemetery, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.