David Allen Sutton

My best friend and husband

When I think of Dave, I think of the people and things he loved. There were so many, and each held a special place in his heart. He loved his boys, Jacob and Matthew. He loved his stepdaughter, Megan, and Lexi, his first grandchild, followed by Jaxson, David, and Piper. He loved his sisters, Carol and Susan, and their husbands, Boe and Brad. He cherished his mother-in-law, Wilma. His golden retriever, Bella, held her own special place in his heart. His best friend, Carl Swan, was also our neighbor. The two shared a love of motorcycles and sports cars, but what mattered most was their friendship. Having Carl close by was a special part of Dave’s life. Dave also loved our off-roading and camping adventures with our friends in the Hoosier Mud Turtles: Steve, Trish, Suzy, Harry, Josh, Emily, Jack, and Kim. Those times together gave us memories I will always treasure. Music was another love of Dave’s, and he played the trumpet. It was one more part of the man he was, alongside his enthusiasm for adventures, friendships, and time with family. And Dave LOVED Purdue. As a proud Purdue alumnus, his connection to the university was deeply personal. Anyone who knew him knew how much being a Boilermaker meant to him. He also loved the newspaper industry, where he spent so much of his working life. His sense of humor was amazing. Dave loved people. That simple statement says so much about the man I knew and loved. As frontotemporal degeneration took more and more from him, our lives changed in ways neither of us could have imagined. I became his full-time caregiver, and I kept him at home until his passing. Those last few years were hard. There was grief in watching the changes, even while he was still beside me. But there was also love, tenderness, and the privilege of being there for the man who cherished me. Dave often called me his angel. Those words meant so much, especially during the difficult days. I was his wife, doing everything I could to care for him, keep him comfortable, and let him know he was loved. We were so fortunate to have that time together. Not a day went by that we didn't hold hands, laugh, hug and kiss. And once in awhile, we held each other as we cried. FTD is part of Dave’s story, but there is so much more to remember: his love for his family and friends, his music, our adventures, his work, and his Purdue pride. Above all, I remember the husband who was so kind and funny. I miss him. And I carry with me the love we shared and the memory of hearing him laugh.