John J. Sutton Jr. ’51
John J. Sutton Jr. ’51, immediate past president of the class, died on November 27, 2011, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Jack was a proud recipient of his class’ Spirit of ’51 Award, which praised his “admirable career and family life, unfailing good will to his fellow men and undying devotion to Dartmouth.” His contributions to the class included not only three years as president but also service as head class agent, co-chair of the record-breaking 50th reunion fundraising campaign and extended membership on the class executive committee. Jack and his wife, Betty, were regular visitors to Hanover for reunions and mini-reunions. As an undergraduate he was a pitcher on the varsity baseball team (later recruited by the Dodgers), an accomplished golfer and a member of Chi Phi. Jack grew up in Oneida, New York, moving to North Carolina after college and three years in the U.S. Army counter-intelligence service. He spent 44 years as founder and president of John J. Sutton & Co., an independent sales agency. His community interests included the Salvation Army, where he was an advisory board member for 10 years. The Salvation Army band played at Jack’s funeral. He also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and served as a deacon and president of the Covenant Sunday school class at his church. Jack and Betty raised three children and took great delight in their seven grandchildren.