The Shadow
James Clarence “Jim” Sutherland
James Clarence “Jim” Sutherland, age 93, of 5315 Patriots Colony Drive, Williamsburg, Virginia died on Saturday, November 9, 2024 in Williamsburg.
Jim was born on August 14, 1931 in Clifton Forge, Virginia to the late William Arthur Sutherland, Sr. and Mabel Drewry Booze Sutherland, and was raised on Alleghany Street. He left home in 1949 to attend Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, graduating Class of 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, and remained an active alumni supporter of VMI. He was a retired United States Army Officer whose career spanned 20 years and included assignments in Germany, Italy, and Thailand as well as tours of duty in the U.S. He served two tours in Vietnam and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After retiring in 1975, he and Lucy lived in Urbana, Saluda, Fredericksburg, Kentucky, and Florida before settling at Patriots Colony in Williamsburg. He served as the first County Executive Administrator for Middlesex County, Virginia and went on to work a number of positions for the State in the tourism and property management divisions. He owned and operated a successful tomato farm with his son and was a volunteer for Colonial Williamsburg where he showcased his talent for caning chairs to thousands of visitors. He enjoyed golf and following both the Washington Commanders football and Washington Nationals baseball teams. He was a member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by two brothers, William Sutherland and Clifton Sutherland.
He is survived by his wife, Lucy Garrard Ford Sutherland of Williamsburg and two sons; Jimmy Sutherland (Susan) of Owenton, KY and Bill Sutherland (Noelle) of McLean, VA; 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
A small family service will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Doug Hollenbeck officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.
To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com
