Wayne Sutton

Howard Wayne Sutton loved his country, serving in the U.S. Army as a small weapons specialist during the Vietnam War. He loved God and was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Springdale. He loved his wife, Dyann Cochran Sutton, his children and grandchildren above anything else. He was a devoted husband of 31 years and the father of John Wayne Sutton, Amy Michelle Sutton, Ryan Anthony Sutton and Mitchell Kyle Sutton. Wayne passed away Friday, November 2, 2012 at the Circle of Life Earlene Howard Hospice Home in Springdale from complications associated with congestive heart failure. He was 65. Wayne was born June 19, 1947, in Reichert, Okla., to Howard and Ruby Metcalf Sutton. He graduated from Heavener, Okla., High School in 1965 and joined the Army in 1969. He served in Vietnam from March 1970 to January 1971 and was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Valorous Unit Award. He was married to Gladys Pittman in 1969, and they had two children, John and Amy. Gladys passed away in 1978. Wayne and Dyann Cochran were married Dec. 27, 1980, in Fort Smith and had two sons, Ryan and Mitchell. Wayne retired in 2002 after 33 years with Pepsi Co. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, University of Arkansas sports and watching professional wrestling with Ryan and houseful of friends. He is survived by his wife, Dyann, of the home; his son, John, daughter-in-law Mandy and grandsons, Gabe and Lucas of Salesville, Ark.; his daughter, Amy of Fayetteville; his son, Mitchell of Springdale; his brother, Charles Sutton and his wife, Ruth of Tulsa, Okla.; his sister, Sharon and her husband, Bill Brewer of Bartlesville, Okla.; numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved dog and companion, Baxter. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Ryan. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, at First United Methodist Church on Johnson Avenue in Springdale. Visitation will follow from 1–2 p.m. at McConnell Funeral Home, 137 No. Main St. in Greenwood with the funeral at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Dawson Cemetery in Milltown. Pallbearers will be Brett Sutton, Mike Brewer, Stephen Canada, Devin Cochran, Casey Cochran and Brian Cochran. Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Support Network, 6836 Isaac's Orchard Road, Springdale, AR 72762.