Thomas Edward Sutter 1934-2017

Thomas Sutter passed away on August 26, 2017

Tom graduated from Union High School in Grand Rapids, class of 1952. Tom proudly served in the U.S. Navy from April 1952 to August 1967. He served aboard the USS DeHaven DD-727 from 1957-1958 as a QM2.

Quartermaster, Chief Petty Officer; member of American Legion Post 459; former member 40 et 8 Voiture 553; received recognition from the government of Taiwan for duty around Taiwan (Formosa Patrol) and Quemoy and Matsu Islands off the coast of China.

He was a member of USS Dehaven DD727 Sailors Assn., USS Richard S. Edwards DD950 Assn., USS Brown DD 546 Assn., USS Kishwaukee AOG 9 and USS Elkhorn AOG 7 (Gasoline Tanker Assn.), USS Prime MSO 466 and USS Impervious MSO 449 (Navy Minesweeper Ocean Assn.); and former member of Michigan Company of Military Historians and Collectors. Tom retired after 37 years of government service as a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service; member National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 56, and National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees, Chapter 0234.

Thomas Edward Sutter, predeceased by wife, Lois (Conrad) Sutter, and second wife, Clara Sutter; parents, Edward and Edna Sutter; sister and brother, Margaret Kommer, and Laurence Richards. Survived by son, Timothy; grandson, Jason; step-sons and step-daughters, James Sutter, Kim (Randy) Bassin, Phillip (Cindy) Strickland, Eric (Joan) Strickland, and Kevin (Tammy) Strickland; 20 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister, Mary Richards of Portland, Michigan.