Obituary of Kathryn Virginia Sutton

Kathryn “Kathy” Virginia (Welsh) Sutton was born in Cripple Creek, Colorado on September 13, 1937, to Jack A. Welsh and Marion I. (Lemcke) Welsh.  

In her teen years, Kathy worked with her father learning bookkeeping by managing the accounts of several businesses in and around Cripple Creek.

After graduating Cripple Creek High School on May 26, 1955, Kathy was recruited by the Department of Defense for her budget talents and moved to Washington D.C., to start her fifty-two year service balancing budgets.  

Shortly after arriving in Washington D.C. Kathy met, her future husband, Bernard “Bernie” LaVerne Sutton while on a walk through Arlington Cemetery.  Together, they embarked on a lifetime of adventures living in and visiting many countries around the world.

Kathy voraciously read. She shared this passion for books with her children. Kathy’s father had been a musician, and Kathy herself played several musical instruments. Music remained a love for Kathy for life.

Kathy is survived by her children, Ramona “Rusty” (James) Smith of Manhattan, Kansas, Vincent Sutton, Regina “Gina” (John) Purtill of Wiesbaden, Germany, and John Sutton of Pueblo, Colorado; grandchildren, Steven Sutton, David Smith, Kimberly Smith, Joseph Purtill, Brittany (Sutton) Cushman, Andrew Purtill; great-granddaughter, Hanna Cushman; and her siblings, Patsy, and Yvonne (Gary) Nave.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Bernie Sutton (2017); her son, Clyde S. Sutton (2019); brother, John Vincent Welsh (2016); and her parents, Jack Welsh (1958) and Marion Welsh (2002).

Service will be held at a later date when she and Bernie are interred at Arlington Cemetery together.