Jay D. Sutton

Jay Davis Sutton, age 86, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Jenkins Living Center in Watertown. Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 11, 2019, at the First Baptist Church in Watertown. Rev. Charles Warger will officiate. The family is requested to meet at the church on Monday by 10:30 a.m. for a prayer service. Visitation will be prior to the services at the church on Monday. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Honorary pallbearers will be Jay's grandchildren.

Military graveside honors will be conducted by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, and the Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard. Jay was born on September 3, 1932, in Miller, SD, to Jefferson Davis Sutton and Evelyn (Everts) Sutton. Growing up, Jay attended various country schools and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1950. While in high school, Jay joined the South Dakota National Guard. After graduating high school, Private First Class Sutton was sent to Frankfurt, Germany, and eventually detached to Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, where he served in the U.S. Army with his brother, Gerald. After returning from active duty, Jay returned to South Dakota and married Phyllis Evonne Ediger of Spencer, SD. Jay worked in a variety of jobs throughout his life, including time at GE Hot Point in Denver, Terrace Park Old Home Bakery, and Disco Seed Company, both in Watertown, SD. He retired after a successful, long career as a self-employed carpenter. Jay was very active in the community. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. In 1965, Jay joined the American Legion Post #17, where he served in various officer positions, including several years as the Post #17 Vice Commander. He loved to spend time with his family and friends. He loved to cook, travel, and go to "therapy", which is what he called coffee with his friends. Family and friends will always remember Jay's infectious laugh and endearing smile. He is survived by two sons, Terry (Jo) Sutton and Lee Sutton, both of Watertown; and a daughter, Jennifer (Joe) Jacobson, of Rapid City, SD; his brother, Gerald Sutton, of Orleans, MA; his sister, Anne Hayen, of Westminster, CO; his half-sister, Alice Oden, of Chamberlain, SD; and his step-sister, Jean Cozine, also of Chamberlain. Jay and his wife, Phyllis, have ten grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. Jay was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis, his parents, and his sister, Naomi Colleen (Sutton) Dahlgren.

Service Details.

Visitation

When: February 11, 2019 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: First Baptist Church
Address: 111 14th Ave NE Watertown , SD 57201

Service

When: February 11, 2019 11:00am
Location: First Baptist Church
Address: 111 14th Ave NE Watertown , SD 57201

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