Obituary of Leon Sutherland

Leon "Bud" Sutherland, 85, of Sewanee, died April 6, 2021 at the Sheltering Arms Home. Leon was preceded in death by three of his children: Ward Leon Sutherland, Helen Sutherland Cofer, and Audrey Sutherland Gann; sister, Frances Sutherland Anderson; half-siblings, Howard Sutherland, Allen Sutherland, Nell Sutherland, Alma Sutherland Curtis, and Helen Sutherland; brothers-in-law: Mack Bennett, Francis Thorpe, Alton Perry, Albert Perry, and Kenneth Perry; parents James Harvey and Ruth Sutherland. Before his retirement, Bud was employed by the University of the South-Sewanee for 40 years as Manager of Technical Services in Woods Laboratory and he also served on the Sewanee police force many years prior. He was a respected man in the community with many skills & talents; he worked on construction of All Saints Chapel & many other buildings and also played bluegrass music at numerous campus events over the years. Bud was a man of faith and long-time member of St. James Episcopal Church, Sewanee, TN. He was immensely proud of his Scottish heritage and actively involved along with his family in Clan Sutherland. A 32nd degree Master Mason, member of the Scottish Rite of the Chattanooga Valley, & Alhambra Shriners, Bud treasured his brothers in the Sewanee Masonic Lodge #405. He was also a ham radio operator, a talented musician, and fan of the Atlanta Braves. Most especially, he enjoyed being with his family (& being a Papa), sitting on the front porch, and having a good meal. He was a kind, generous, smart, and hardworking man. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 55 years, Sarah Sutherland; daughter, Sarah Elizabeth (Paul) Burns, of Chattanooga, TN; grandson, Nolan Burns; sisters, Dorothy Thorpe, of Sewanee and Doreen Bennett, of White Bluff, TN; sister-in-law, Rachel (Jimmy) Long of Winchester, TN; several nephews, nieces, & cousins; and many friends, all of whom he loved dearly. The family would like to especially thank Jamie Roberts and the staff at Sheltering Arms Home for the love & care they provided during his brief stay. The graveside service, officiated by The Reverend John Runkle, will be in Eastern Star Cemetery, Sewanee, TN, on Friday April 9, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to St. James Episcopal Church: 898 Midway Rd, Sewanee, TN 37375 and/or Chattanooga Scottish Rite- Hearing and Speech Clinic 1345 Hickory Valley Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37421. Please share your memories with the family on their website www.cumberlandfuneralhome.net. The family is being served by Cumberland Funeral Home in Monteagle.