Armond Cody Sutherland's Obituary
Armond “Cody” Sutherland
AUGUST 3, 1927 – MARCH 22, 2024
Armond “Cody Sutherland, loving & cherished father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, uncle, great-uncle, great-great uncle, & friend to many, age 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 22, 2024. He was born on August 3, 1927, in Los Angeles, CA, and the son of Irma (Silas) Sutherland and Charles L. Sutherland.
Cody grew up working on the farm, went to what was known as “Strawberry School”, and lived in Plant City, FL for part of his life and then lived in the Lakeland / Winter Haven area the last 50 years or so. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps as soon as he could and was stationed in Italy, where he was a Navigator/Radio Operator on a B-17 Bomber and was a WWII veteran. He enjoyed reminiscing about his time in Europe and could tell you in great detail of his adventures there, of the food, the wines, and the culture of the regions. He graduated from Florida Southern College in the early 1950’s and briefly became a junior high school English teacher. He then began a career with the U.S. Geological Survey, then into the phosphate industry where he worked for a number of phosphate companies as a Mining Engineer. He retired twice from that profession before obtaining his Real Estate license to become a Realtor. He earned his private pilot’s license and owned a Cessna Skyhawk 172 airplane, as well as acquiring his sailboat Captain’s License at one point. Cody also enjoyed boating, bass fishing, and duck hunting. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a past Master of Olin S. Wright Masonic Lodge in Plant City. He was a hard-working man who always tried to see the good in everyone. He was a fair, honest man who had a quick wit about him, was highly respected, and was always a gentleman. Plus, he would always ask you “How are you doing?” …and he was genuinely concerned when he asked that…and he would listen ! …Always a positive attitude and always stressed the importance of education and the gaining of knowledge to young people. He will be missed greatly by all who loved him.
Survivors include his sons, Steve (Mandy) Sutherland and Stu (Jeanne) Sutherland; grandchildren, Dawn (Ray) Wright, Kendra (John) Doster, Andrew (Julia) Sutherland, Emily (Ian) Cordell, Matthew (Katie) Sutherland, Dakota (Tavannah) McDowell, and Chance (Jessica) Pace; great grandchildren, Lucas Wright, Parker Wright, Madison (JT) Austin, Trey (Lexus) Doster, Mason McDowell, & Everly Pace, Pandora Sutherland, Bernadette Sutherland, and Ayla Sutherland; great-great grandchildren, Jordan Austin and Jackson Austin; …along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Cody was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Jo (Schmidt) Sutherland, his brother Charles “C.L” Sutherland, and sisters, Carolyn Procchi, Ardelle Brock, & Merriem Bush.
A Funeral/Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Gentry-Morrison Serenity Gardens Chapel located at 3350 Mall Hill Dr. - Lakeland, FL 33810…Visitation and viewing will be held one hour prior, from 10:00 AM -11:00 AM at the funeral home chapel. (Also, live-stream access for the service is available on the Gentry-Morrison website page for Armond Cody Sutherland).
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