ForeverMissed
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His Life

Obituary in The Californian, Bakersfield

December 17, 2015

February 28, 1937 — October 29, 2015

Gerald was born in Bakersfield, Ca. to Meryl and Marian Sutliff. He attended local schools graduating from East High in 1955. BA, CSU Long Beach 1967; MA, Chapman College 1970.

He enlisted US Army Okinawa & Vietnam in 1960, he served 3 years with an honorable discharge. Medal; good conduct, sharpshooter (carbine) marksman (rifle). Most of his professional career was with Pacific Maritime Assoc. He retired in 2005 as the northern Ca. Labor Arbitrator 28 + years.

Gerald started as a Rotarian with the Berkeley Club, served as president of the Castro Valley Breakfast Rotary Club. He joined West Rotary when he returned to Bakersfield. Jerry loved to read and collect books. He was an excellent writer, had letters and articles published in most major newspapers around the country. The Californian was very kind to him.

He was a kind, generous very thoughtful man. He was always willing to help others in need, family, friend or stranger. He was one of the Sweetest men on the planet, Jesus gave him a very tender heart.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Joyce, daughter Lorna Snell, son in law Paul Valle-Riestra. Survived by wife Leasa (Royal), daughter Alice Valle-Riestra of Walnut Creek Ca., son Clyde Sutliff (friend Amy) of Oakland, Ca; grandchildren Levi Snell (Jillian), Jenna and Cara Valle-Riestra, great granddaughter Lailah Snell, sisters Barbara Sutliff (John LaGore), Margaret Siemens (Ronald) Bakersfield, niece, nephews and friends.

Gerald accepted Jesus as savior when he was a teen. He has been a faithful witness and member of First Presbyterian Church for a number of years

A service of Worship in Witness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, to the Glory of God, and in memory of Gerald (Jerry) Sutliff, Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 2:00pm at First Presbyterian Church, 1705 17th St., Bakersfield. Donations may be made to the Kern County Library and Kern County Veteran's Association, in honor of Gerald.