Lorne Sutherlin

After a long battle with a neurological disease, diagnosed as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Lorne Douglas Sutherlin died on September 20, 2015 at the age of 74. Lorne was born November 27, 1940 in Sedalia, Missouri to Emmis D. and Mary Lorna (Howe) Sutherlin. He grew up in Sedalia and graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in the class of 1958.
Lorne continued his education, graduating from Arizona State University in 1965 and eventually earning a Master's Degree from the University of Southern California. In 1965, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Lorne completed Pilot Training with the class of 67-D at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona and was assigned to fly the B-52 Stratofortress aircraft. During his career, Lorne was stationed at Clinton-Sherman AFB, OK; Beale AFB, CA; San Jose State ROTC, CA; and Dyess AFB, TX.
After Captain Sutherlin separated from the Air Force in 1980, he began a 30+ year career in real estate in Abilene. He was an active member of the Abilene Board of Realtors, served as Board President in 1996, and was named 1999 REALTOR of the Year. In 1998, he founded his own family-owned business, Homefinder's, Plus… Lorne, also, was an active Kiwanian for over 20 years (most recently with the Greater Abilene Kiwanis Club), and he was recognized with the George F. Hixson award for his significant service contribution in 1996. He was an active member of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church until he could no longer attend due to his illness. Lorne enjoyed helping people learn about real estate and investing. He especially loved to travel, cruising to the Bahamas and Alaska, visiting sites and cities in the US, as well as experiencing far-away places like Hawaii, Panama, Tahiti, Paris and Hong Kong.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Carolyn, his brother, A.C. Sutherlin, his daughters Claire Federico and husband Art, Cristy Vines and husband Lance, Wendy Riley and husband John; daughter-in-law Holly Sutherlin, grandsons, Cory Vines, Aubrey Batten and wife Julie, Zachary Vines and wife Bethany, Spencer Riley, Jacob Vines, Caleb Vines, and Nicholas Riley; great-grandsons, Clayton Batten and Grayson Batten.
Lorne was preceded in death by his parents, Emmis and Mary Lorna Sutherlin, and his son, Dale Douglas Sutherlin.
The family would like to say thank-you to the staff at Silver Springs Nursing Center and Hendrick Hospice Care for their wonderful care and support during this difficult time.
A Memorial Service honoring Lorne's life will be held at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 US Hwy 277 South at 2:00 on Saturday, September 26th.

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