Red Sutherland

December 19, 2019 - 10:13 AM

Donald Dean Red Sutherland of Le Roy, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, at his home. He was 83.

Red was born Feb. 2, 1936, at Neosho Falls to T. N. Ted and Marjorie Wright Sutherland.

He grew up on the farm, attending Le Roy schools. He participated in football, basketball, choir, and held the office of class president, graduating in 1953. Red attended Neosho County Community College, then joined the Kansas Army National Guard in 1956. On May 31, 1959, he was awarded the Marksmanship Badge, and later in 1961 he was honorably discharged.

Red married Joyce Dearinger. To this union three children were born, David, Sally, and Betsy. In 1979 he married Helen Knoblock who was killed in a car wreck on Nov. 20, 1980. He has been married to Marjorie Clem Sutherland for the past 37 years.

After working in the oil fields he returned to Le Roy area and farmed. He was very progressive in his farming practices. He was one of the first farmers to use no-till practices in the early 1970s, which earned him awards. Upon his fathers retirement he took over the business, Sutherland Farm Equipment. After its closing he continued to farm until his retirement. Red had many hobbies including hunting, fishing, teaching his knowledge to those interested in learning farming, beekeeping, gardening, and witching for water, oil, etc.

Red was preceded in death by his parents, brother Larry, grandson Aaron, dogs Murphy, Specht, and John.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, of the home; daughters, Sally Bowman of Washington and Betsy Ettenhofer of Washington; son David Sutherland of Le Roy; brother Gene Sutherland of rural Le Roy; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two special girls that he and Marjorie claimed as their own, and his four-legged companion, Lucky.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at First Christian Church in Le Roy. Visitation is from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the church. Burial will be in Le Roy Cemetery. Memorials to the Honor Flight may be sent to Van Arsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box 8, Le Roy KS 66857.