James Luther Suddarth
February 6, 1932 - November 25, 2012
Obituary
James Luther Suddarth
James Luther Suddarth went to be with his Savior, Jesus on November 25, 2012 at the age of 80. Jim was born on February 6, 1932 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Luther James “Bill” Suddarth and Beulous “Penny” Suddarth. While attending Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater, Jim served as an intern at Boeing in Seattle for two summers. Upon graduation, he accepted an offer to work for them as an Aeronautical Engineer where he stayed until his retirement in 1992, 37 years later.
Jim loved music, photography, airplanes and camping. He played both the accordion and the organ and many Sunday mornings, the sound of classical hymns from the organ would be heard prior to the family going to church. He was known by all for his photography—both beautiful scenic shots and pictures and films of friends and family. No one was safe from his camera—especially when eating! And then there were the planes . . . A childhood passion, he managed to turn it into a career that he loved—staying at the same company from right out of college until his retirement. Air shows were a common family outing, along with feeding the ducks at Lake Washington while watching the planes take off and land. It probably wasn’t an accident that he lived five minutes from a major airport. What some considered noise, he considered “music to the ears.”
Jim loved the beauty of the outdoors and was determined to expose his family to it as much as possible. Hiking in the Pacific Northwest, visiting Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon; looking for agates along the Pacific Coast, hunting for arrowheads in the New Mexico dessert, laying on top of the dunes at White Sands star gazing—all memories that he gave to his family. Many summers were spent camping at Banks Lake, waterskiing and enjoying family and friends. Jim had a ‘wicked” sense of humor which his children didn’t necessarily appreciate, but his grandchildren certainly did and apparently inherited the trait.
The most important things in Jim’s life, though, were his family and friends and his faith. They were intricately intertwined with each other. Jim lived his faith and his knowledge of God’s Word was the foundation of everything he did and said. He was a man of deep commitment, integrity and honor.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Carol; his children, Kathy Klemz (Craig), Judy Goodanetz, Sharon Carter (David); his ten grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed, but we know that this separation is only temporary. He is at home with Jesus, completely whole and at peace.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Our Savior’s Baptist Church in Federal Way, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Union Gospel Mission or Our Savior’s Baptist Church of Federal Way, WA.
Jim was a beloved neighbor for over 50 years; we enjoyed his jovial greetings and wry humor. Can’t forget those hurried photos when the BIG tree went down!
His commitment to his faith, his sincerity of giving (the iRS got an unbelievable surprise there!) brought his ideals into his everyday life.
Carol, and girls, we appreciate your sadness at his passing but be assured Rome will be welcoming him in the great beyond. Will be in touch with you shortly.
Lovingly, Ruth and Family
Dear Carol and family,
Jim was very, very special to us. We have enjoyed all the years together at Our Savior’s and especially sharing lots of fun, laughter and fellowship together. Jim had a wonderful sense of humor and it was so easy to be with him. We loved him for the sparkle in his eye! We felt better around him.
We also had Oklahoma in common and so that brought us even closer.Our times with Jim are going to be missed because he was a faithful friend.
And Carol, there is only one like you. What a beautiful example of loving and caring unconditionally as his wife. May you know God’s great presence in the days ahead as you reflect on wonderful memories of a great husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, and friend to all…he was the best.
Love, Diane and Ben
My wife and I would like to offer our most heartfelt condolences to the Suddarth family. It is a difficlut thing to lose a loved one, but to lose one who built his life on the firm foundation of his fath is even more difficult. Mr. Suddarth knew better than most the comfort that God’s word, The Holy Bible can bring. My wife and I would like to share a passage that Mr. Suddarth was most certainly very familiar with:
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:28,29
Jim’s family: I’m so sorry I can’t make the service, due to a previous family committment. “Suds” and I worked together in B-52 flight test, and then years later I designed several wind tunnel models for Jim. And we went on tests together. Suds was a fine gentleman, and we’ll all miss him. God bless.
Jim and I go back to junior high school in chickasha. He was one of our favorite classmates. It was great to see him several times at our class reunions. During our professional career we had occasion to work together on a joint program. He with Boeing and me with General Dynamics.. On behalf of the Chickasha High School class of 1950, our sincere condolences.