Eben Sutton

Eben Sutton, 96,  of Sagle, ID died peacefully on February 5, 2015, in Huckleberry Retirement Home. He was a Mason and Shriner, with membership in Cairo Temple. He was born in Burlington, VT, the son of Eben and Ruth C. Sutton. After graduating from Burlington High School in 1937, he went on to Kimball Union Academy in Meridian, NH, where he was a competitive skier. He then worked for Jones & Lampson Machine Tool Company of Springfield, Vt. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army, served at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, and ultimately participated in the European theater in England and France. After the war, Eben returned to Burlington and joined the family business, The Old Beehive on Church Street. In addition to his work in the store, he was very active in Burlington's business community, serving as President of Burlington's Merchants Bureau and Director of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he served as President of the National Retail Merchants Association. During this time, he became involved in ice fishing, duck hunting, and competitive sailing. Eben built and raced several sailboats to International Lightning Class Association specifications. This passion followed him to Oregon in 1967 and ultimately culminated in a fifth place finish in the Governor's Cup at the ILCA North American Championships in San Diego,CA, in 1988. He moved to Idaho for retirement in 1990. Neighbors and friends on both coasts fondly recall his happy, helpful demeanor that had him offering assistance wherever possible. Eben is survived by his son, Eben Sutton of Southworth, WA; ex-wife, Joan C. Sutton of Sagle, ID; stepdaughter, Jill Smith of Duxbury, VT; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by daughters, Ruth Ann Kaye, Laura Knapp; and brother, Paul Sutton.