Jack Niel Sutter
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of Brownsville, Texas, entered into eternal rest at his home on February 2, 2021.
Jack was a longtime Brownsville resident and prominent member of the community.
Jack Niel Sutter was born in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to Guy Wallace and Mildred Eleanor Sutter. The family moved to deep south Texas when he was just a boy. Jack was a high-ranking student and graduated salutatorian from Brownsville High School in 1942.
During his first year at Texas A&M, he volunteered to join the U.S. Army Air Force to fight in World War II. He was a bombardier and navigator on B-29s. He spoke fondly of his recollections of the war and told of being stationed in Guam and his last flight over Tokyo as a First Lieutenant.
After the war he went back to Texas A&M, but came back home to help his dad run the family farm. The following year, he married the love of his life, Miss "Billie" Knight. Jack and Billie made their home on Old Port Isabel Road where they spent nearly 70 years together until her death in 2017.
Jack had a long and successful farming career, and served on various boards both in agriculture and business in the Valley. He helped establish the Brownsville Cotton Gin and was one of the first commercial aloe vera producers in the Rio Grande Valley.
He broadened his career and took classes to become a stockbroker, working for many years at Shearson Lehman Brothers. People trusted him and called upon him for financial advice. When he retired from this, he returned to his passion for agriculture.
His success led to many philanthropic opportunities to give to various organizations over the years. One of Jack and Billie's favorite charities was donating hundreds of bales of hay to Gladys Porter Zoo. In his later years, Jack would still enjoy going to the zoo to feed the giraffes.
Although Jack and Billie never had children, they both loved each and every niece and nephew as their own. As the years passed, the family grew with another generation or two to love and cherish. Many fond memories and bonds were made through the years.
The family would like to thank Emma Mascorro, Joe Barajas, and Bernice Trejo for the love and care given to Jack and Billie in their final years. Both Jack and Billie were able to spend those golden years in the comfort of their own home with the help of these dedicated individuals.
Jack is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 69 years, Wanda "Billie" Sutter, his sister, Evelyn White, nephews, James A. Bennett Jr., Louis Sandoz, David Sandoz, and niece, Barbara Newberry.
Left to cherish his memory are his sisters, Anne Stahlman and Sue Sutter, plus numerous extended family members.
Jack was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed not only by his family and friends, but also those fortunate enough to have known him.
Serving as Pallbearers are Jose Barajas, Fred Guzman, Mont Stahlman, Gig Wade, Bryan Sturdivant, and Honorary Pallbearer is Bruce Bennett.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 7, 2021 from 1 pm to 5 pm at Funeraria Del Angel Rose Lawn. Chapel Service will be held Monday, February 8, 2021 at 9 am followed by a Burial at 9:30 am at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens located at 4464 Old Port Isabel Rd., Brownsville, Texas.