Max Keith Sutton, 85, died at Butterfield Trail Village July 14th, 2022. He was born on a farm in Madison County, AR, June 3, 1937, to Keith and Doris (Long) Sutton. He graduated from Huntsville High School in 1955 and from the University of Arkansas, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, in 1959. He received his MA and Ph.D in English Literature from Duke University in 1964. He and Claire Hultsman were married February 26, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Durham, NC. They moved to Lawrence, KS, in 1964, where he taught nineteenth-century British literature at the University of Kansas until he retired in 2004 as professor emeritus. During his tenure at KU he published biographies of W.S. Gilbert, R.D. Blackmore, and T.E. Brown, and co-edited an edition of Brown’s poems. In 1993 he won the Bernard Fink Award for teaching, and in 2005 he was co-winner of the Langston Hughes Poetry Prize. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry and as a lay reader and chalice bearer. He volunteered at the church’s food pantry and at LINK, Lawrence’s interdenominational food kitchen. In 2007 he and Claire moved to Fayetteville, where Max published two books of poetry. At St. Paul’s Episcopal Church he washed dishes for Community Meals and enjoyed the monthly discussions at Theology on Tap. He is survived by his wife Claire; a son, Stephen Sutton and his wife Ute Wittorf of The Woodlands, TX; a daughter, Katherine Austin and her husband David of Fayetteville, AR; a son-in-law, Kelly Rauckman and his wife Lorraine of Shawnee, KS; a brother, Bill Sutton and his wife Patti of Rogers, AR; five grandchildren, Emily Pemble and her husband Connor of Olathe, KS; Owen Rauckman and his wife Brooklyn of Kansas City, MO; Meghan Austin, of Fayetteville, AR; Mathilda Sutton, of The Woodlands, TX; Joseph Austin, of Fayetteville, AR; and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by their beloved daughter, Julia Rauckman; a grandson, Christopher Austin; and two sisters, Marjorie Dickinson and Jean Rumsey. His funeral will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, with interment in the church’s columbarium. Memorials may be made to Magdalene Serenity House, Fayetteville; Community Meals, St.Paul’s; or to Seven Hills Homeless Center, Fayetteville. Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel.
I hit the lottery when my son married Katherine Sutton. I was indeed blessed to be part of the wonderful Sutton family all these years. Max was and always will be, the gold standard for all of us. While we have heavy hearts, his poetry would encourage us to carry on.
I met Max a few times. Once again the kind of people that attend St. Paul’s. I miss them all so much. What servant’s heart he had. My condolences to his entire family. You’re on the “other side” now Max and in the land of light and love. Rest in Peace.
Greatest of sympathy to all of you for your loss. He was truly a fine scholar and an outstanding teacher as well as a steadfast Christian. I always remember how his love for the literature he was teaching always shone through. At the moment, of the many pictures I have of Max, I remember him dashing into my English class (he must have had another class before it), often with his tie flung over his shoulder.
Anne, thank you for giving me a smile to temper the sadness. Claire
Dear Claire and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Max’s passing. I remember him as such a kind, erudite, and gentle man. He always had a kind word for and brought out the best in others. I am sorry for your loss.
Take care, Ann
Thank you, Ann.
Claire, I was sorry to read of Max’s passing in today’s Journal World. I made sure that his name was listed in the prayers at Trinity. Please accept my sincerest condolence. You both are in my prayers.
Proctor Crow
Thank you, Proctor.
Claire, I was sorry to read of Max’s passing in today’s Journal World. I made sure that his name was listed in the prayers at Trinity. Please accept my sincerest condolence. You both are in my prayers. Blessings on all of your family.
Proctor Crow
Katie, I am sorry to hear your dad passed. What an interesting life! Prayers with you.
Claire and family —
We are so very saddened to know of Max’s passing. You Suttons were our wonderful neighbors for many happy years living on the east side of Lawrence. We remember Max’s unfailingly good nature and generosity of spirit that enriched the lives of all the people whose lives he touched. We. send our warm good wishes to you all.
Forever thankful for any of the time I got to spend in the presence of one of the gentlest men I ever met. He always made me feel at peace, which is what I hope he is feeling now. Sending your family all of my love always.
Claire and all the family,
I wish I had known Max better. My interactions with him at the book group were so delightful and fun that I continue to treasure them. I dipped into his poetry but never heard him read it aloud.
I missed a lot not knowing him better. I know all of you are mourning his being gone but cherishing your memories.
Claire, I look forward to seeing you again.
Blessings,
Jane Purtle
So sorry for your loss. We are out of town but will see you right after we return home. Claire we send love to you and your family .Alice and Ron
Orean and I were saddened to learn of Max’s death. We had enjoyed our association at Trinity Church, Lawrence and especially our visits at our lake house and in Fayetteville. Max modeled servanthood in his gentle way, and many were blessed by his ministry. May he rest in peace and rise in glory!
Dear Claire,
I am so sorry for your loss of Max. I have such fond memories of Max, you and your family as our next door neighbors during the 70s. My heart and prayers are with you all.
Barbara Armbrister
To Claire and family, we are so sorry to read of Max’s death. He was such a gentle, lovely person. We have missed you both since you left Lawrence. And we remember well the good friendships our kids had with yours. Maybe we can get together when we next come to Bentonville.
Our sincere sympathy on your loss, Sue and Dick
I’m saddened to hear of Dr. Sutton’s passing. He was by far my favorite instructor and would go out of his way to have a conversation. A shy kid lacking confidence, Dr. Sutton was an amazing role model and left a lasting impression on me. He had a warm smile, took genuine interest and I’ve thought about him many times over the years. Indeed, his greatest lesson was kindness. Peace be with the Sutton family.
Clair and family,
God has given you a great man in your life. You have given him much love , respect and support. You each have given all. Was heart warming to observe the grace.
What a full and accomplished life! All of my sympathy, thoughts and prayers go out to Claire, Stephen and his entire family. I have always known him as a very kind and gentle man with a sharp sense of humor! He was also a giving man to his community, church and friends. While we haven’t had a lot of time together, I feel very lucky to have known him and be a part of the Sutton family. I have only good memories of our time together. It is always so hard to say goodbye, but I know that Max is never really gone as long as we hold him in our hearts. And, when I look at Stephen’s face I see him there! Please know how much we are thinking of you and how much you are in our prayers. All of our love – Heike & Waltraut
I meant to thank him for so many things. He was my professor during the Fall semester of 2001, when the world seemed to fracture.
Through his discussion of poems, and sharing his own experiences, he showed me the ongoingness of connection, kindness, and love. I remember sitting across from him in his office as we talked about Wordsworth’s “We are Seven,” and he told me of holding his grandchild. My heart broke open for good. I was forever changed because of him.
I can’t imagine how much you, his close family and friends, will miss him.