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- Commercial-News (Danville, IL)
August 6, 2009
John W. "Jack" Sutphin, died peacefully on Aug. 3, 2009, in the loving presence of his daughter, Carol. He was born in Springfield, Ill. on Aug. 1, 1918, the son of John Thomas Sutphin and Evelyn Batley Sutphin.
Jack was raised in Springfield where, on Oct. 31, 1941, he married Kathryn Theresa "Kate" Sutter, also a Springfield native. A full and honored member of the "Greatest Generation," Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and fought as a part of the storied 42nd (Rainbow) Division.
During the decisive Battle of the Bulge, Jack was deployed to the front lines in an effort to stop what turned out to be the last great German offensive of the war. In January of 1945, he was taken prisoner by elements of the German Army. After several arduous months of captivity in Germany, he was liberated by the American Army as they made their victorious advance through Germany.
Later in 1945, after medical recuperation and discharge from the Army, Jack and Kate moved with their then 2-year-old daughter, Suzanne, to Danville where Jack helped to build the newly created Time-O-Matic Company into a successful business. In 1959, Jack formed a new company, Signatrol, to design electric signs and to manufacture components for them. He built that company into a national leader in the industry.
Jack's noteworthy achievements at Signatrol included the design and installation of the spectacular four-story highly animated scoreboard at the Astrodome in Houston – the first of its kind anywhere. He followed up with the famous "exploding" scoreboard in Comiskey Field in Chicago. Jack served in leadership positions with his industry trade association — National Electric Sign Association and with its Illinois state affiliate.
Jack was active in the Danville community, playing a key leadership role in the fund raising efforts that modernized Danville's two hospitals into then state-of-the-art facilities. For many years he served on the boards of the Rotary Club of Danville and the Danville Country Club and ultimately as president of each of those organizations.
His business success notwithstanding, Jack's real passions were for golf and gin rummy, his many deep and enduring friendships and, most of all, his family. In golf, gin rummy and other competitions he was an intense competitor who would neither give nor accept mercy. His intensity as a competitor was only surpassed by the intense loyalty and support to those who were important to him — friends and family.
As retirement approached and he contemplated the future of his company, among the foremost priorities was the wellbeing and security of his loyal employees. That consideration drove his decision-making.
Jack's happiest moments were those that he could spend with his family — his mother, his sisters and their husbands, and most of all, Kate and their five daughters.
Over the past six years, Jack and Kate spent several months each winter in Mazatlan, on Mexico's Pacific coast, where he could spend time with Jacque and her husband, Bill Demmer, who live in Mazatlan year-round.
When Jack suffered a fractured hip in early 2008 and his health began to deteriorate, Jack and Kate decided to leave their beloved Danville and move to Lakeway, Texas, in the Austin area to be close to three of their daughters — Carol, Cheryl, and Kaye. With the three of them close and with regular visits by Suzanne and her husband, John, and by Jacque, Jack's final months were contented. Jack also enjoyed the intellectual stimulation from his regular visits with his son-in-law and attorney, Charles.
Jack was a dynamic, talented, fun and compassionate man who was loved and admired by those close to him and respected by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Julia "Jule" Johnson and Dorothy Gillgrass, and his brother-in-law, Ward "Mack" Johnson.
He is survived by Kate, his cherished wife of nearly 68 years; by his five daughters, Suzanne and husband, John Roland, of Tulsa, Okla., Kaye and husband, Tom Young, of Austin, Texas, Jacque and husband, Bill Demmer, of Mazatlan Mexico, Carol and husband, Ed Nichols, of Cedar Park Texas, and Cheryl and husband, Charles Franklin Daily Jr., of Austin. He also is survived by his brother-in-law Charley Gillgrass of Springfield, Ill., In addition he is survived by his 13 loving grandchildren: Stephen Goth, Russell Nichols, Lisa Ward, John Demmer, Danielle Alexander, Nolan Young, Julianna Webster, Carolyn Daily Garza, Rebecca Young Brim, David Nichols, Carly Daily, Candace Daily, and Charlie Daily. He also leaves behind 14 great-grandchildren.
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1918 - 2009 (91 years)
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