Larry G. Sutton 1936-2026

Larry was born Oct. 4, 1936, in Newton Falls to R.C. and Helen Lozier Sutton.

Before graduating from high school in 1955, he played on the football team, served as his freshman, sophomore and senior class president, was a member of the dramatics club and proudly earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America in 1953.

He attended Hiram College, where he toured for two summers on the Hiram College Showboat, was a member of the Chi Sigma Phi fraternity, and cemented his lifelong love of the theater as a theater major. During his time at Hiram, he met his wife, Patricia Hollister Sutton, better known as “Skip,” and they were married Oct. 5, 1957.

After a brief time working in New Mexico, Larry completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Marietta College and went on to earn his Master of Arts degree from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Upon completing his master’s degree in the fall of 1963, Larry accepted a position in the communication arts and sciences department at DePauw University, where he worked until his retirement as a full professor in 2004.

During his tenure at DePauw, he served for many years as the department chairperson, the director of theater and the technical director of the performing arts center. He also served on various college committees. While he accomplished the administrative aspects of his job with great competency, working with his students in the classroom and theater was one of the greatest joys of his life. Like many faculty, he welcomed the end of each academic year so that he could spend time in his garden, puttering in his shop and reading Western novels. However, the greasepaint never left his system and he was always eager to get back to directing the next production come fall. Although he was long retired, he often spoke fondly of his time in the classroom and theater, recalling gifted actors and especially memorable productions. And with involvement in more than 100 productions, he had many memories to recall.

In addition to his work at DePauw, he was an active member of the Greencastle community and served for many years as a member of the Putnam County Playhouse Board. He was also an active member of Kiwanis, the Asbury Towers Health Care Center Board, and the Sheriff’s Department Board.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his older brother, Jack Sutton; his younger brother, Howard Charles Sutton; and his younger sisters, Patricia Sutton Saffle and Diane Sutton Conrad.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Patricia; his son, Jack Douglas Sutton of Greencastle, Indiana; his daughter, Cynthia L. Sutton; his son-in-law, John K. Wise; and his grandson, John Christopher Sutton Wise, all of Greenville, Pa.

Memorial service details are incomplete at this time and will be announced at a later date.

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