Charles “Charlie” Bayles Sutton passed away at the Edward C. Allworth VA Home in Lebanon, Ore., on Oct. 4, 2023, at the age of 91. 

He was born in Hines, to Jessie V. (Stufflebean) and Ballice B. Sutton.His sister, Phyllis Yvonne Sutton preceded him in death in 1946.

A career soldier, Charlie served in the USAF in the Korean War [B-29’s including Top of the Mark & Koza Kid] and then transferred to the Army so he could add helicopters to his fixed wing aircraft training. 

He had two tours in Vietnam with 101st Airborne Div. Among other things, in the Army, he was a senior helicopter maintenance crewman and inspector. Charlie was stationed at overseas bases in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Panama Canal Zone and many other locations his services were needed. He was also in the Oregon Army National Guard for a short period of time between his Korean War service and USAF in Japan. He retired in 1975 after over 24 years and continued to work overseas in Iran, Saudi Arabia and other middle east countries as a contractor for Bell Helicopter International.

SGT 1st class Sutton was highly decorated for his honorable service and received the following: Bronze Star medal, Air Medal (two awards), United Nations Service medal, Army of Occupation (Japan), National Defense Service medal, Army Commendation medal, Korean Presidential Unit citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign medal, Good Conduct medal (six awards) and Master Aircraft Crewman badge. 

After he retired, he took his aeronautical engineering training and certification in Texas. He then went to work in Iran for Bell Helicopter International and barely made the last flight out of Tehran when the Shaw was ousted. He then worked in various places in the middle east, including Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

Charlie is survived by four daughters, Kathleen, Colleen “CoCo”, Heather and Melanie. He was preceded in death by his wife, Conni L. (Scoggins) Sutton; and daughter, Erin.

Donations can be made in his memory to Harney County HUB, Harney County Home Health, Harney District Hospital Mental Health or any other organization providing services for Veterans.