Richard Lee Sutherland Sr.

Richard Lee Sutherland Sr.

Richard Lee Sutherland Sr., 75, died Saturday Jan. 5, 2013, at his home in Rocky Boy of natural causes. His wake service will begin, Sunday and continue through Monday. His funeral service will be noon on Tuesday, Jan. 8, all at Rocky Boy Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Rocky Boy Cemetery. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Richard was born April 21, 1937, in Rocky Boy, Mont. He was raised and educated in Rocky Boy schools. He worked as a Green Train laborer and a sprinkler system installer. He lived all over the state. He settled in Columbia Falls, where he worked at Plum Creek, Lumber Company and Ol River Bridge Inn Bar. He returned to Rocky Boy in 1997.

Richard enjoyed fixing and repairing cars and building hot rods, singing and enjoying family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his children, son, Richard Sutherland Jr., and daughter, Melody; his siblings, Edward "Panther" Sutherland, George (Korgal) Sutherland, Rosalie Batistia, Rania Sutherland, Elizabeth Sutherland, Helen Molina, his twin brother and sister, Delma and Dennis Sutherland, and Geneva Houle.

Richard is survived by his children, daughters, Elaine (Fredrick) Coffee, Sandy (Clinton Small) Sutherland of Rocky Boy and Cheryl (Earl Rainingbird) Sutherland of Rocky Boy, and his sons, Thomas (Serenda) Sutherland of Seattle, Wash., Dean (Crissa) Sutherland of Rocky Boy; his adopted son, Tommy Sutherland of Arizona; and his sisters, Laura Batistia of Gilroy, Calif., and Lenne Sutherland of Arizona.

Also surviving are 28 grandchildren; and 38 great grandchildren.