Bob Sutphen

Bob L. Sutphen, 84, of Abilene, Texas, passed away on October 17, 2016. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM Monday, October 24, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, October 25, at Hillcrest Church of Christ with Terry Brown officiating. A private burial will follow. Bob was born December 19, 1931, to Robert L. and Jewel Sutphen. His birth took place in the family home at the Humble Pipe Line camp near Hobbs, N.M. Bob went to school in Ballinger, Eastland, and graduated from high school at Abilene Christian School. He then went to Abilene Christian College and graduated from there in l953. After several years in the Navy, Bob graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Bob went into the U.S. Navy in July 1953. After graduation from Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., he was commissioned Ensign in November of 1953. After many different assignments and over twenty years of service, he was promoted to Captain in l974. Bob had many great memories about friends in the Navy. Some of those "Navy Buddies" had been like brothers for over 60 years. In 1973 Bob and eight of his "Buds" started an annual deer hunt together. This annual reunion went on for thirty-five years. Bob retired from the Navy in 1990 after more than 35 years active and reserve service. Bob and Joyce both grew up in faithful Church of Christ families. They both have been active members of churches wherever they have lived. Bob has served as elder, deacon and Bible teacher at one or more locations. During their married life together, they have been members of twelve different Church of Christ congregations. Bob is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 63 years, Joyce Shipman Sutphen; children, Rob and wife Ellen of Houston, Mark and wife Ronalyn of Abilene, and Dena and husband Tommy Hollowell of Abilene; grandchildren, Ashley and husband Dylan Delaney, Max Martin, Trevor Martin, Abigail and husband Andrew Lawrence, Tyler and wife Leah Sutphen, Jessica Martin, Nicole Sutphen, and Trey Hollowell; great grandchildren, Elliot and Chloe Delaney. Memorials may be given to Christian Service Center, P.O. Box 2957, Abilene, TX 79604.