David Julian Sutton

David Julian Sutton, 68, of Valdosta, died on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at his residence. He was born on August 2, 1952 in Douglas, Georgia to the late Thomas and Evelyn Kiser Sutton. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State in political science. While a senior at VSC, David received a Governor’s Internship at Coastal Plains Area Planning and Development Commission which eventually led to his employment as the Valdosta-Lowndes County Planning Director. He served in that position and as Regional Planning Director until his retirement in 2001. During his time at the APDC (later RDC) he earned his AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification and became an active member of the American Planning Association and the Georgia Planning Association, where he was a board member for several years. After retirement, he continued to work for local governments in North Georgia as a consultant in issues of zoning, planning, and land use until 2010. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE).
He is survived by his wife, Martha Weldon Sutton of Athens, Georgia, and previously of Valdosta; son and daughter-in-law, David and Jennifer Sutton of Louisiana; a daughter and son-in-law, Maggie and Adam Manley of Mableton, Georgia; two grandchildren, Eli Sutton and Spencer Sutton; a brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Patty Sutton of Valdosta; sister-in-law, Melba Weldon of Hahira; sister in law and her husband, Carolyn and David Lavigne of Kentucky; brother in law and his wife, Tom and Brenda Weldon of Maryland; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Linda Dennis.
A memorial service for David Sutton will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2020 in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane.