Leon Ray Sutherland

July 1940-January 2012

Leon Ray Sutherland, 71, of Snelling passed away after a long illness at his home with his wife at his side. He was born in Atwater, CA to Mervle and Viola Sutherland in 1940.

In 1958, Leon graduated from Livingston High School. He had worked for the Merced County Fire Department, stationed at the fire house in Cressey 35 years, then worked for the CDF another 7 years stationed at the fire house in Snelling. In 1963 he married, Dian Blair of Atwater and raised 3 children. Leon enjoyed working with electronics, repairing TV’s, amateur ham radio operation, video ministry, playing his guitar, and watching old westerns on TV.

Leon is survived by his wife, Dian of 48 years of Snelling; daughters, Belinda Tucker of Delhi, Winnie Sutherland of Merced, and Lori Sutherland of St. Joseph, Missouri; and grandchildren, Nathan, Landen, Liam, and Leo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mervle and Viola Sutherland and his siblings, Helen Larick, Winnie Crinstead, and Lester Sutherland.

A memorial service will be held at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B St., Merced, CA on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 1:00p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Merced County Fire Fighters Association, 735 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced, CA 95341.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.