Jacob Lee Sutton

Jacob Lee Sutton was born on August 6, 1983, to Ronnie Sutton and Linda Goldsmith in Sylva, NC. 

He dedicated his life to the United States Air Force, beginning his service in October 2001 and working alongside his “fAMMOly.” After 22 years of dedicated service, he retired on October 31, 2022. Following his military career, Jake was proud to continue serving national defense by working within the Performance Improvement department at the Y-12 National Security Complex. He also devoted his time to helping others through volunteering with Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, the United Veterans Council of East Tennessee, and the Rocky Top Veterans Foundation.

Jake enjoyed spending time in a deer stand, sorting his sports card collection, coaching NFL players he had never met, manning a Blackstone grill, beside a volleyball court, or hitting home runs on a slow-pitch softball field. He never met a sports team he didn’t want to watch—except for any team in Duke Blue. Every Saturday, he cheered for the Tennessee Vols, and on Sunday... or Monday... or Thursday, he rooted for the Carolina Panthers.

Jake was a natural leader—competitive, extremely selfless, and quick-witted, always ready with a joke. Above all, he was a provider. He was a strong believer in Jesus Christ and strived to be a Godly example to everyone around him.

Jake is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Otis Sutton and Polly Sutton; his maternal grandparents, Arthur Goldsmith and Nancy Baldwin; and his beloved dog of 15 years, Macey Cupcake Sutton.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Laura Sutton; daughters Taya Sutton and Jadyn Sutton; parents Ronnie Sutton and Linda Goldsmith (Jeff Carlisle); siblings Jesse Pruitt, Shay Lossiah, Felisha Pritchard (Elliott), and Holly Pruitt (Drew).

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on November 29 at Rose Mortuary in Knoxville, TN, with Bro. Shane Nugent officiating. Friends and family are invited to the funeral home on November 29 from 1:00–3:00 PM for the receiving of friends, with the service to follow. If unable to attend, the service will be streamed through Rose Mortuary’s Facebook page. Interment will take place at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, December 2 at 12:30 PM.

If desired, memorial contributions may be in lieu of flowers, in Jake’s memory, to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs or Volley4Life through K2 Volleyball Club.