Johannes Edward Sutherland's Obituary
Johannes “Ed” Edward Sutherland
“Eddie”
A man who was a friend to everyone, Ed Sutherland courageously fought a battle with cancer for many years. He lost that battle on Thursday, July 26th, 2018 while residing at Stafford House in Des Moines, Washington after spending the previous evening with his wife and his children. He seemed happy that evening and, by his own admission, told many “Dad” jokes.
Ed was born on February 17, 1935 in Auburn, Washington. He was 83 years “young” when his life was taken by the cancer.
Ed is survived by his wife Trudy. Ed and Trudy lived next door to each other as young children and went to high school together. He was her first kiss when she was 14 years old. He is also survived by his daughter Linda and husband Bill, his son Mike, his son Steve, Trudy’s son Jim Drohman and wife Sheila, Trudy’s son Don Drohman and partner Danny, and Trudy’s daughter Lori Hawk and husband Sam, his sister Margaret Rickett, her son Glenn and his daughters, Keera and Christina and her family. He was preceded in death by his father Hannes Sutherland, his mother Grace Sutherland, and his sister, Delores Sutherland.
Ed was a wonderful and loving Grandfather to thirteen grandchildren, and fourteen great grand-children.
Ed was a proud member of the United States Navy for 20 years, retiring in 1973 as a Dental Technician First Class. He served in several overseas duty stations including Japan, Vietnam, and Korea as well as many stateside duty stations. After retiring, he went to work for the University of Tennessee Dental School prior to transferring to Burkhart Dental Supply in Spokane, Washington. He eventually returned to Western Washington where he opened his own Dental Equipment Repair and Supply Company which allowed him to return to the area of his early childhood and teen years. He then decided to switch gears and worked for the Electrolux Company in their Tacoma store. He retired from Electrolux in 2000.
Ed was a member of Steel Lake Presbyterian Church of Federal Way for 30 years, a long-time member of the American Legion in Tacoma and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He loved traveling
in his and Trudy’s motor home and being with their traveling buddies and could always be counted on to tell a good story. Playing a good round of golf with friends was also a hobby of his, as was woodworking, building things, fixing things and generally making things work.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask that donations be made to The American Lung Association. Services will be held on Tuesday, August 14th at 3PM at Calvary Lutheran Church, 2415 South 320th Street, Federal Way, WA 98003.
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