Daniel Martin Sutorus
KE6GQM (SK)
September
1962 - February 2000
He Taught Us About Courage
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I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8 |
Daniel Martin Sutorus, 37 years old, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in February 2000 after a long battle with the complications of diabetes. Dan was born in September 1962 at Fort Ord, Monterey, California to Lieutenant Arthur E. Sutorus, US Navy and Alice P. Sutorus. He is survived by his parents; his Brothers, David and Timothy; his Paternal Grandfather, Arthur E. Sutorus, Sr.; and many Uncles, Aunts and Cousins.
Dan began his high school education in San Diego, CA at Patrick Henry High and finished at Norco High in 1980. Upon graduation, he attended Riverside Community College and majored in Communications and General Studies. His extraordinary courage and positive outlook toward life, in spite of his disabilities, was an inspiration to all that knew him. At an early age Dan dreamed of becoming a Naval Aviator but upon developing Type I diabetes, when he was 10 years old, that dream was shattered. However, this did not slow him down in pursuing his love of sports such as Baseball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Ice and Roller Hockey. He played Varsity Soccer while at Norco High School. His vision failed in 1987 due to diabetic retinopathy. In 1990 he received a kidney transplant from his mother and returned to a somewhat normal life with the help of his Golden Retriever, Blaze, from the Guide Dogs of the Desert. In 1992 Blaze was awarded the Delta Society Jingles Award for the Top Guide Dog in the United States. Dan was a member of the Crossroads Christian Church Adult Singles Group, the Corona-Norco Amateur Radio Club and the Riverside County Amateur Radio Association. He was a popular speaker to local civic groups on the subject of blindness, diabetes and life, in general. A memorial service was held at the Crossroads Christian Church, Corona, CA on Friday, 25 February 2000. He was buried at the Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA.
Blaze, Faithful Guide and Companion
2 April 1989 - 30 April 2003
A Musical Tribute To Dan - It takes a minute or two to begin.