Obituary of James Lee Sutherland

James "Sarge" Sutherland was born in Hillsboro Oregon to Ted and Betty (Millay) Sutherland in August of 1956. He joined his sister Debbie and a few years later brother Mark joined the family. Jimmy, as he was called, enjoyed playing in the dirt mounds around their home and his mother remembered him sitting on a blanket yelling at the top of his lungs just for the joy of hearing his own voice. When he was a little older Jimmy explored electricity with a butter knife and the television plug. As he grew Jim tried various sports but had far more affinity for figuring out how things work and repairing things. The family moved to Boise, then to Pocatello, and finally settled in Caldwell, Idaho where Jim graduated from high school. Jim's mechanical interests led him to choose the U.S. Air Force for training in heavy equipment repair. He was an honor graduate from Air Force Tech School and continued to be highly ranked in all his training classes. After spending four winters stationed in Minot, North Dakota Jim came home to attend college in Nampa, Idaho. Jim and Luci met when they were both working a church camp for youth. They were married the next December. Jim returned to the Air Force and was stationed at Mountain Home where their first daughter was born. Jim continued advancing in his military career, doing a remote tour for one year in Alaska, serving again in North Dakota, a longer stint in England, then to Texas. The family grew to include their four daughters Rose, Anna, Kassy, and Dorothy. Jim retired from the Air Force with his last duty station the same as his first, Lackland AFB. He completed his Air Force career teaching in the Automotive Tech School. A civilian again, Jim worked a few years as a mechanic and then went to work at SRCI for well over a decade. When cancer struck Jim took medical retirement and began volunteering with his wife whenever he was in remission and felt up to it. Jim and Luci served on the church board at the Church of the Nazarene in New Plymouth, led the worship team, and taught as needed. Jim also helped at the Payette County Museum working on equipment, adding electronics to exhibits, and cleaning the carpets. He enjoyed showing young visitors how things worked. He joined the Payette American Legion and helped with special events and breakfasts when his health allowed. Family was always a passion for Jim and he adored his four daughters, got along well with their husbands, and worked at knowing what interested each of his ten grandchildren. Jim also cherished time with his sister and her two children, telling stories of their childhood, his military knowledge, or helping diagnose car troubles. Attending an air show in Boise with his step-father was also a favorite memory from the last few years. Jim was treated well at MSTI in Fruitland (now St. Luke's Cancer Institute) and made lots of friends among the staff there. It was there that he became known as "Sarge" because there are just so many men named James or Jim that it was easier to go by a nickname. He didn't spend much time on hospice, but he was very grateful for the Heart & Home nurses and workers who helped in his last days. We praise God for Jim's life, for the time we had with him, and for the assurance of his salvation and heavenly destination. A service to celebrate Jim's life will be held at 1pm on Friday, September 30th at the Payette American Legion Hall at 301 S. Iowa Avenue. Lunch will be served. Cremation was under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel. Condolences may be made to Jim's family at www.shafferjensen.com. Service Details. Celebration of LIfe Friday, September 30th, 2022 | 1:00pm When: Friday, September 30th, 2022 1:00pm Location: American Legion Hall - Payette Address: 301 S Iowa Avenue Payette, Idaho 83661 Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of James Sutherland August 27, 1956 - September 1, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book