Howard Sutton

Howard Lee Sutton, age 73, of Comstock, passed away on Friday, April 8, 2016 at home surrounded by family. The son of Elvin & Jeffie (Grimes) Sutton, he was born June 27, 1942 in St. James, AR. His family decided after WWII, they would move to Comstock in order to take advantage of the post war economic advantages the north had to offer. Howard graduated form Comstock High School, and went on to work at Gibson Guitar of Kalamazoo where he gained skill in every aspect of the guitar making business (except lacquering, which he left to the experts). Howard would tell stories of the stars that came to Gibson and would stop at his workbench to chat, most notably the legend Les Paul. The disappointment of Gibson closing, eventually lead to Howard finding his true calling, driving bus for Galesburg-Augusta schools until his retirement. He earned many awards as a favorite of the kids he loved to drive. However, Howard didn't stay away from guitar making long, the years after Gibson's closed and Heritage Guitar opened at the old Parson Street factory, Howard could be found at his workbench, making guitar pick guards, every evening, long into his retirement. He was a loving father to his children, a devoted friend, amazing story teller and loyal to the end to those he held dear. Surviving is the love of his life, Patricia Goodwin Pountain of Las Vegas, NV; children, Dawn (Tom McCoy) Sutton of Paw Paw, Angela (Curt) Case of Galesburg, Kimberlee (Alle) Delfsma of Augusta, and Christopher (Susan) Sutton of Las Vegas; fourteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, James (Carolyn) Sutton; and one nephew. Honoring his wishes cremation will take place, and then he will be returned to his beloved Arkansas. Arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids. The son of Elvin & Jeffie (Grimes) Sutton, he was born June 27, 1942 in St. James, AR. His family decided after WWII, they would move to Comstock in order to take advantage of the post war economic advantages the north had to offer. Howard graduated form Comstock High School, and went on to work at Gibson Guitar of Kalamazoo where he gained skill in every aspect of the guitar making business (except lacquering, which he left to the experts). Howard would tell stories of the stars that came to Gibson and would stop at his workbench to chat, most notably the legend Les Paul. The disappointment of Gibson closing, eventually lead to Howard finding his true calling, driving bus for Galesburg-Augusta schools until his retirement. He earned many awards as a favorite of the kids he loved to drive. However, Howard didn't stay away from guitar making long, the years after Gibson's closed and Heritage Guitar opened at the old Parson Street factory, Howard could be found at his workbench, making guitar pick guards, every evening, long into his retirement. He was a loving father to his children, a devoted friend, amazing story teller and loyal to the end to those he held dear. Surviving is the love of his life, Patricia Goodwin Pountain of Las Vegas, NV; children, Dawn (Tom McCoy) Sutton of Paw Paw, Angela (Curt) Case of Galesburg, Kimberlee (Alle) Delfsma of Augusta, and Christopher (Susan) Sutton of Las Vegas; fourteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, James (Carolyn) Sutton; and one nephew. Honoring his wishes cremation will take place, and then he will be returned to his beloved Arkansas. Arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids. Howard graduated form Comstock High School, and went on to work at Gibson Guitar of Kalamazoo where he gained skill in every aspect of the guitar making business (except lacquering, which he left to the experts). Howard would tell stories of the stars that came to Gibson and would stop at his workbench to chat, most notably the legend Les Paul. The disappointment of Gibson closing, eventually lead to Howard finding his true calling, driving bus for Galesburg-Augusta schools until his retirement. He earned many awards as a favorite of the kids he loved to drive. However, Howard didn't stay away from guitar making long, the years after Gibson's closed and Heritage Guitar opened at the old Parson Street factory, Howard could be found at his workbench, making guitar pick guards, every evening, long into his retirement. He was a loving father to his children, a devoted friend, amazing story teller and loyal to the end to those he held dear. Surviving is the love of his life, Patricia Goodwin Pountain of Las Vegas, NV; children, Dawn (Tom McCoy) Sutton of Paw Paw, Angela (Curt) Case of Galesburg, Kimberlee (Alle) Delfsma of Augusta, and Christopher (Susan) Sutton of Las Vegas; fourteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, James (Carolyn) Sutton; and one nephew. Honoring his wishes cremation will take place, and then he will be returned to his beloved Arkansas. Arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Howard Sutton, please visit our flower store.