Published in the Los Angeles, CA - Times April 7, 2002 : SUTTON, George A. San Juan Capistrano, CA, formerly of Artesia, CA, passed away April 4, 2002. George Sutton was a third generation Californian, born in Long Beach, California, on July 2, 1922, to pioneer Artesia residents Ebey and Ramona Sutton. The Sutton family were pioneer settlers and farmers of the Artesia and Norwalk area from the early 1800s. George Sutton attended Artesia Grammar School and Excelsior High School, Class of 1940. He organized and sponsored all six of the Class of 1940 reunions. After serving in the Army Air Force for 5 years, he married classmate Lois Spierling of Bellflower on September 20, 1946. They were married for 55 years. In 1946 he joined his father in Artesia Realty and Insurance for 23 years. He worked in construction for A.J. Padelford & Sons for 20 years. He was instrumental in the incorporation of Artesia, and September 1958, with Al Little, obtained the petitions and election for the purpose of incorporation of Artesia on May 29, 1959. He drew up the legal boundaries of the 1.6 square miles for Artesia, then the oldest town in the area. Mr. Sutton served on the early Artesia City Council and served as Mayor pro-tem in 1960, then the youngest council member at age 37. He obtained the funding for Artesia's first library building and first park. The library was built on new park grounds. In 1965, George and Lois Sutton represented Artesia at sister city of Koudekerk, Holland, at ribbon cutting of a new street, Artesia Plantsoen. George Sutton served as Artesia Lion's Club secretary and president from 1946 through 1969. Mr. Sutton was a member of the Los Angeles Yacht Club and Lido Isle Yacht Club. He sailed a race sailboat back from the 1968 Trans-Pac Race from Hawaii, and in 1971 a race sailboat back from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He traveled extensively on photography trips with noted photographers, 1970-2000. Recent years he attended Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA. He leaves his wife of 55 years, Lois Sutton, and relatives. -- Danny & Nancy Clemmer www.clemmer.org