Vincent Leo Sutter

Born to Vincent Leo Sudadolc (Sutter) and Rosa Pleshek Sudadolc, both of Austria, on February 2, 1917 in Seattle, Washington. The Rev. M.P. baptized him the 8th of April, 1917. O'Dinger at St. George's Church. My father attended St. George's School grades 1-8 and was a proud graduate of Cleveland High School in 1935. After graduation Vincent went to work for his father Frank Sutter in his meat market on Western Avenue as a Butcher/Meat Cutter.

My father entered the service on May 2, 1942 in Seattle as a Radio Operator Mech. And Gunner in the 757. Expert TSMG and Carbine Sharpshooter. Air Offensive Japan, Eastern Mandates, Western Pacific Go 33WD 45 my father received these decorations and medals: Distinguished Flying Cross (Go 68 7th AF June 45), Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Air Medal with One Silver Oak Leaf Cluster (Go 55 7th AF Apr. 45). My father did not talk about the war. Except, he did tell me he rescued 11 men including himself when a huge bomb landed in a plane over the Western Pacific. 11 men just stood frozen rooted in terror as Dad pushed, rolled and lifted the bomb up and out of the plane saving theirs and his life. Dad told me only one person ever told him how much he appreciated the fact that his life was saved that fateful day. In 1999 Dan and I went to visit that person and his wife on Whidbey Island. My father was a hero to more than one person including me.

After Vincent was honorably discharged from the military on August 21, 1945 he went to work for Chet Hanson Meat Shop, Jilg's Sausage Company, and when it closed, for Boeing Commercial Airplane Co. My father went to Israel twice. He built three houses. The first was on S Horton for his mother Rosa; he built Uncle John's basement with a shovel on 17th Ave. So., the 2nd home was for my mother Helen on south Beacon Hill overlooking Lake Washington, the Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier. Dad loved to watch the season change and the maple trees leaf out. When he retired from Boeing, my mother Helen had a new project all lined up for Dad. He built house number 3 up on Eagle Cove, Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. My mother died July 1, 1988 so Dad and I became roommates. Dad lost his best buddy when Mom died.

Daddy was wonderful telling me that's life. "When one door closes another will open. Jesus Christ will take care of you if you just let him." We went on trips along the Oregon Coast, to Lake Crescent, to Ocean Shores, Mount Rainier, and out to breakfast every Sunday to have buttermilk pancakes. Dad and I walked around Seward Loop, Jefferson Park Golf Course with our various dog pals.

Dad, Vincent Leo Sutter, slipped past me his sacred breath extinguished May 3, 2008. I felt his hand squeeze mine as his pulse beat, then fade.

Visitation 2-6 PM Friday, May 9, at Columbia Funeral Home and Graveside Service 1 PM Saturday, May 10, 2008, at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Renton, Washington. Wake following service at Yankee Grill-Holiday Inn in Renton on So. Grady Way. Memorial may be made to the Union Gospel Mission.

Please sign the online guest book and share your memories of Vincent on this memorial (click 'Sign Guest Book').