James "Jimmy" John Sutherland of Sebastian, Florida died on April 20, 2021 at the age of 68.

Jimmy was born in Toronto, Canada on November 22, 1952. He was the second of three children to Clarence "Larry" and Margaret (Hicks) Sutherland. They immigrated to the United States when he was 4 years old and he became a US Citizen. Growing up in Deerfield and then Lake Bluff, Illinois, Jimmy loved playing baseball as a kid. He graduated from Lake Forest High School in 1971. He enlisted in the Army in 1972, becoming a paratrooper in the 505th infantry of the 82nd Airborne Division, and was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He returned to Illinois after completing his assignments.

While visiting a friend in the northwest Chicago suburbs, he had a chance encounter with the woman who would ultimately be the love of his life, Margo, when her rogue dog Tango wandered up to him. Upon their marriage in 1984, he became stepfather to her two young daughters, whom he lovingly referred to as his "girls." He was often busy coaching them in soccer, helping with their homework, and teaching them to garden. Always wanting to learn, Jimmy would visit the local library every Sunday, bringing home a dozen books of various topics that he read from cover to cover. He was the mastermind of their annual camping trips into northern Michigan and Ontario, Canada. He was a self-taught carpenter and woodworker, and enjoyed completing various house renovations and creating handmade gifts for his wife. He was always up for hosting a BBQ, whether it be on the road at a Notre Dame football tailgate or at home for friends and family. Sadly, he lost his Margo to cancer in 2000 and was never the same.

After his mother passed, Jimmy moved to Sebastian, Florida to help care for his father. He decided he preferred the warmer weather and chose to stay after his father passed as well. Jimmy adopted a cat he named Newman, of whom he loved to spoil. Although he made many new friends and memories, Jimmy ultimately could not recover from losing his wife and his health slowly deteriorated. He passed away at the West Palm Beach VA Hospital with his "girls" at his side.

Jimmy is survived by his stepdaughters Jessica Sutherland of Rye, New Hampshire and Jacqueline Sutherland of Farmers Branch, Texas; his sister Patricia Updegraff of Edwardville, Illinois and her four children; and his sister Marion Sutherland of Lisle, Illinois.

His family takes solace in knowing he is reunited with his love. Services will be private. His family asks in lieu of flowers, consider donations to your local library or your favorite animal rescue organization.