HomeMy WebLinkAboutSutphen, Merrell E.
MERRELL E. (GENE) SUTPHEN
Gene Sutphen, of San Marcos,
died July 2, 2006, at the age of 81. He is
survived by Betty Beard, his wife of 11 years;
four children, Paul Sutphen of San Marcos,
IX, Diana Watson of Cameron, TX. Scott
Sutphen and Lisa Sutphen both of Bryan,
TX; seven grandchildren and two great-
grandchildren.
Gene graduated from Ballinger
(Texas) high school, where he was active in
band, drama and photography. He attended
Abilene Christian College, before entering
the U.S. Navy in 1943. He was trained to
be an aviation radar technician, and saw service in the South Pacific and the
Philippines during WWII.
Following his discharge in 1946, he pursued his love of photography. In
1950, he bought Aggieland Studio in College Station which he operated until
his"retirement"in 1974. At that time he moved to Victoria, IX, where he soon
went into photography business again, opening a commercial/industrial studio
called"Visual Impact", which he nperated until he did retire in 1990.
Gene was awarded the degree of "Master of Photography"by the Professional
Photographers of America in 1959. and was a popular speaker/demonstrator
at photographers conventions. In 1976, he served as President of the Texas
Professional Photographers.
He had a life-long love for the stage. and was active in amateur theater in
both College Station and Victoria, as actor and also director. Among his favorite
roles were as Elwood P. Dowd in "Harvey". as"Big Daddy"in"Cat DnA Hot Tin
Roof", and as grandpa Martin Vanderhof in "You Can't Take It With You".
He was also a boating and water-skiing enthusiast and enjoyed playing gol(
In later years, he and Betty have enjoyed extensive travel to beautiful and exotic
places of particular interest to a retired photographer with a 35mm camera, '
Much of his later time was devoted to producing sophisticated slide shows of his
'. travels and other areas of interest.
A Memnrial Service wih be conducted at 11:00 A.M., Friday, July 7, 2006,
at the First Presbyterian Church in San Marcos, with the Rev. Dr. David Barker
officiating.
Following cremation, the remains will be interred in Evergreen Cemetery at
Ballinger, IX, at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, July 8, 2006.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the
American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of Pennington Funeral Home,
323 North Cnmanche, San Marcos, IX 78666, (512) 353-431 I:
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