Raymond Sutton Jr

RAYMOND DALE SUTTON, JR. 66, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, August 13, 2023 after a very unexpected and blessfully fast bout of stage IV lung cancer. Ray was born and raised in Houston, Texas in 1957 to father Raymond Dale Sr and mother Mary Jo (nee Felton), as the second child of three, to a modest and hardworking household. While Ray was never active in formal military service, he did attend Gulf Coast Military Academy of Gulfport, Mississippi from middle school through high school, and finally Pearland High School. He achieved the rank of Corporal while enrolled there. He was a popular student while there and excelled in all mechanical applications, marksmanship and archery and horseback riding as a member of the mounted patrol. A fourth generation Texan, Ray was extremely proud of his Texas heritage. He was interested in not only local Texas politics but also followed closely on a National level as well. Election years proved to be some of Rays most looked forward to times. He loved a challenge! He was a devoted husband, a caring son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, friend, father, and grandfather, a.k.a. “PAPA”. His favorite people of all time referred to him as Grandpa and Papa”. Ray was blessed with an extremely generous heart and he knew NO strangers. There was no one Ray felt as unapproachable. He loved to talk and could socialize with anyone he had the pleasure of speaking with. Ray inherited from his dad, Dale Sr., a very creative mind and love for woodworking and proved to have mechanical aptitude. He could often be found working on a “new” project (derived from his own imagination), developing it without fail from initial ideation through final completion. He was meticulous in his creations, not only surprising himself with the final outcome but also astounding those friends, family or strangers with which he shared them. Whether it be his third generation “floating river radio”, complete with sub woofers, remote control, marine battery and solar power backup), or his two car garage with apartment overhead, or while utilizing his at-home time during the covid pandemic, installing the 33’ft above ground pool and building a self-designed pool deck, (complete with covered bar, barbecue station, waterslide for his grandchildren, along with deck top restroom and change area). Ray was a pressman (printer) by trade. A trade which he followed in the footsteps of his father accepting his first position at the age of 17 out of high school at the now closed downtown Houston printing firm of Hearn Litho where his father had also been employed. For 46 years Ray remained one of the leading 6-Color offset printing pressman in Houston Texas until his removing himself from the active workforce at the onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020. During the pandemic, both Ray and Laurie (then working remotely from home) were blessed to be able to spend the until the time of Rays passing all of their time together at their residence in Magnolia Texas, where they built their home in 1994. He loved his home in Magnolia and enjoyed maintaining his home, his beloved yard and most enjoyed their outdoor cooking outs and gatherings with the family. Many yearly family vacations were found being shared at the Guadalupe River. For weekend getaways floating down the river, listening to his “river radio” where good tunes were always being played, sharing a refreshing beverage and being with family. “Rays hamburgers” could not be outdone and were enjoyed by (and fought for) by all! He believed that humor and tenacity went hand in hand not only in how he lived his life but also in tackling life’s challenges as well. Ray is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Laurie Gail (nee Ross), and his children; •Christopher Lee ‘Chris” Sutton, (Jessica) and children: Austin and Ashton •Raymond “Ray” Dale Paul, (Lacy) and children; Lilly, Madison “Monkey”, Raymond “RJ” Dale Paul Jr, •Zacherith “Zac” John, (Samantha Jane) and children; Zacherith John Jr. and Mackinzie “Kinzie” • Alexandra Jo Sutton-Morrow, (Tyler) and children; Ava Gail and Oliver Hudson Along with extended family, including sisters; Cheryl Sutton and Debbie Pitman, brothers; Jeff Sutton and Jeff Roberson and generations of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members, decades of friends, co-workers and industry colleagues across Texas. He has been preceded in death by his father, his mother and both maternal and paternal grandparents. The family thanks the staff and doctors of Memorial Hermann Cypress Medical Center and the staff of Hospice Plus for their patience, compassion and excellent care. Visitation service and small memorial (as Ray was not big on any type of fanfare) will be held at (Visitation 2:30 - 3:30pm and Funeral Service at 3:30 pm) on Friday, August 18, 2023 at the Magnolia Funeral Home in Magnolia, Texas after which he is to be cremated per his wish. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.magnoliafunerals.com. The Addison family and staff of Magnolia Funeral Home extend condolences to the Sutton family during this difficult time.