Joseph Robert Sutton, 78, of Huntingtown passed away February 7, 2014 in Leesburg, FL. He was born June 17, 1935 in Prince Frederick to Robert Lewis and Margaret Sutton. Joe graduated from Calvert High School in June 1953. He worked at Millard Fowler’s Grocery Store (the old IGA). After that, he worked at Ray Whittington’s grocery store as a butcher. He was also in the Maryland National Guard in Prince Frederick. He then became the parts manager at Prince Frederick Motors for a number of years, until he became the warehouse coordinator at Calvert County Public Schools, working there until his retirement. He was a member of the Huntingtown United Methodist Church, where he volunteered in the kitchen preparing food for the church dinners. He also volunteered at The Calverton School during the early years as needed. He cooked for dinners, Field Day, and helped out where needed. He was known for his delicious oysters.
He and his wife, Arta, lived in Prince Frederick from the time they got married, on June 15, 1957, until 2003, when they moved to Arta’s parent’s family home in Huntingtown. After their retirement, they purchased a second home in Florida, and became snowbirds, spending winters there. His hobbies included cooking, fishing, traveling, woodworking, making gemstone jewelry, his grandchildren, listening to his daughter play the organ in church, and his grandson play the guitar, and attending church at HUMC. He was known for his wit and generosity. He was also a New England Patriots fan, and loved watching football, whether it was college or pro.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Arta, a son Joseph Sutton, Jr. and wife Deborah of Huntingtown, and a daughter Melissa Sutton Miller and husband Jay of Prince Frederick. Also surviving are grandsons Kevin and Andrew Miller, a brother Carl Sutton and wife Marlyn of Prince Frederick, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, a brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews.