Commander James P. Sutherland, USCG RET

December 30, 1940 - September 2, 2024

Store owner James Park Sutherland (Jimbo/Big Muffin) passed away Labor Day 2024 in a beautiful room overlooking Little Traverse Bay dotted with playful watercraft, on gorgeous blue bird afternoon.  Jim was surrounded by his wife Carolyn, and many exceptional and loving friends after being transported earlier that morning.

A retired officer in the U.S.C.G. and aircraft commander flying both fixed wing and rotary who saw combat in Vietnam, Jim's lifetime dream was to achieve eternal peace at Arlington National Cemetery.

Funeral Arrangements

Jim's burial with full military honors was held march 26, 2025 at 3pm.  Thank you to our many friends who traveled from throughout the US to attend.  It was a spectacular day celebrating Jim's service to our great nation.  A celebration of life event will also be planned for summer 2025 in Good Hart.

Donations

Donations may be made in Jim's name to the following organizations:

R.F.C. Fire & Rescue
Our local team of all volunteer emergency responders.  Please make checks payable to R.F.C. Fire & Rescue and note "In Memory of Jim Sutherland".
8338 West Robinson Road
Harbor Springs, MI 49740
 

Tunnels to Towers Foundation
Honoring America's first responders, veterans, and their families for over 20 years.  Donate online at t2t.org and reference "In Memory of Jim Sutherland, 1075 N Lake Shore Drive, Good Hart, MI 49737".

Wounded Warrior Project
Supporting the lives of injured veterans, their families, and caregivers.  Donate online at support.woundedwarriorproject.org and reference "In Memory of Jim Sutherland, 1075 N Lake Shore Drive, Good Hart, MI 49737".

Obituary

Petoskey News-Review - March 14, 2025

Harbor Light - March 19, 2025

Memorial Video Link

CDR James P. Sutherland, USCG RET

USCG Museum Contributions

We are thrilled to announce that Jim's treasured collection of audio tapes and other artifacts from Vietnam, his endless photos, slides, propoganda, documentation, and other various military memorabilia have been deemed "pure gold" by the team of archivists at the Office of the Historian, USCG Headquarters, Department of Homeland Security in DC.  We are currently in procerss of cataloging all items before transit.  Below, an initial snippet of audio from one of hundreds of "living letters" Jim sent to his family during the Vietnam War.  It's our honor to donate these items to the USCG Museum in New London, CT for forever preservation.

https://youtu.be/uxNLXK_zdfc

Contact

Cards and memories may be shared with his wife, Carolyn by mail or email.

Carolyn Sutherland
1075 N. Lake Shore Drive
Good Hart, MI 49737

maggie@goodhartstore.com