James A. Sutton

James Sutton, age 94, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2026, in the company of his wife and daughters. Jim is survived by his devoted wife, Joan, and his five daughters: Julie (spouse Greg Doll), Maria, Cindy (spouse Frank Tutt), Andrea (spouse Nicholas Clappsy), and Gabrielle (spouse James Byrd). He is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Alex Doll (spouse Harry Pershing), James Doll (fiancée Maggie Nick), Eliza Doll, Molly Tutt, James (JB) Byrd, Abby Byrd Christie (spouse Jake Christie), and Audrey Byrd. He is further survived by his siblings: Martin Sutton (Newtown, PA) and Sheila Morgan (Littleton, CO), and predeceased by Judith Kitzmiller and William Sutton.

Jim was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and lived most of his life in the Reading, Pennsylvania area. He and Joan moved to Annapolis, Maryland, in March 2020.

Jim was a graduate of Reading Central Catholic High School, Mercersburg Academy, Syracuse University (B.A., M.A.), Temple University (M.S.), and Nova Southeastern University (Ed.D.). He served as a Captain in the USAF, stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. His career in education began at Boyertown High School, followed by Exeter High School. He served as Assistant Principal at Schuylkill Valley High School and Principal at Wilson Central Junior High. Jim also taught at Albright College and Alvernia University, eventually retiring as the Education Department Chair at Alvernia University. Throughout his career, he coached track and cross country at these institutions.

Jim was a lifelong competitive runner. In Masters Track and Field, he held World and American records in the 800m, 1500m, and the mile. He won the World Championships in the 800m and 1500m in Turku, Finland, in 1991. Jim was a proud inductee of the Berks County Sports Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and the Alvernia University Sports Hall of Fame.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, May 4, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Neumann Church, Annapolis, MD. A private family burial at Gethsemane Cemetery in Laureldale, PA, will follow. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc. in West Reading is entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's name may be made to Anne Arundel County Food Bank aafoodbank.org or St. Vincent De Paul Society of Saint Mary's Parish, Annapolis, Maryland svdp.mhr.annapolis.com.