Gerald Eugene Suffield
1944 - 2020
Gerald Eugene Suffield, 75, died
Thursday, October 8, 2020 at his home in Sublette, Kansas. He was
born on November 16, 1944 to Mildred Evelyn (Ubben) and Lloyd Janny
Suffield in Newton, Kansas. He attended a rural country school near
Burns until the eighth grade, and graduated from Marion High School
in 1962. That same year Gerald enlisted in the U.S. Army attending
basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County, Missouri.
Later he was stationed in Germany, serving during peace time.
Gerald came to western Kansas on a
harvest crew. After a few years he was hired to transport cattle for
Daubert Trucking out of Sublette. He met Bonnie May (Ocker) and they
were united in marriage on December 18, 1976 at the Sublette Southern
Baptist Church. Nearly thirty years ago Gerald went to work for
Groendyke Transport Inc, where he drove tankers transporting liquids.
Never having an accident or even a ticket, he was honored with the
Three Million Safe Miles award! After retirement he went back to
trucking on a part time basis until June of 2019.
When Gerald wasn't on the road he was
home with his family. He watched old westerns and would listen to
oldies from the 50's and 60's and he loved Elvis! He could tell you
the make and model of any car, and he knew the location of any place
and seldom used a map. Gerald enjoyed fishing and riding jet skis
with his granddaughters while camping at Lake Fort Supply. Every
summer he would take his family on vacation discovering a new place
each time. Gerald and Bonnie treasured the memories from a special
Alaskan cruise they took together. A favorite past time was growing
vegetables and in recent years he took great pride in inspecting Tim
and Melissa's vegetable garden. He cherished the time with them and
his two beautiful granddaughters.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie, of
the home; a daughter, Melissa Dusin and husband Tim of Satanta, KS;
two granddaughters, Lauren and Alison; a brother, Edwin "Butch"
Suffield and wife Tammie of Peabody, KS; sisters, Wilma Hybsha of
Newton, KS, Juanita Birkle of Newton, KS, and Linda Olsen and husband
Harold of Newton, KS; a brother-in-law, Roger Hett of Stockton,CA; a
sister-in-law, Tammy Suffield; many nieces and nephews; his beloved
dog, J.J.; and friends he met along the road.
He is preceded in death by his parents;
a brother, David Suffield; a sister, Sharolyn Hett; brother-in-laws,
Vern Birkle and John Hybsha.
Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until
6:00 pm on Friday, October 16, 2020 at Weeks Family Funeral Home &
Crematory of Sublette.
Graveside Services will be 11:00 am on
Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Copeland Cemetery with Pastor
Elizabeth Winger Young officiating. The casket will be open prior to
the service. Friends are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and masks
are recommended. A recording of the service will be available on the
funeral home's website.
Memorial contributions can be made
payable to St. Catherine Hospice or the Copeland Cemetery in care of
Weeks Family Funeral Home & Crematory, PO Box 1200, Sublette, Ks
67877. Condolences may be left online at WeeksFamilyFuneralHome.com.
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