James (Jim) Sutherlin – Obituary and Assessment Call
Jim Sutherlin passed away on October 22, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Jim was born on September 26, 1952 in Port Arthur, TX to James Edgar and Jewell Yvonne Aaron Sutherlin. Except for his time at Texas A&M University in College Station, he spent his entire life in and around Port Arthur. With an enduring passion for coastal fishing and hunting, there is no place Jim would rather call home.
Jim served as the Project Leader for the Upper Coast Wetlands Ecosystem Project for nearly 25 years, retiring in 2015. While there, he addressed issues related to coastal wetland loss, restoration, management, and conducting research to advance the understanding of biological processes and impacts on the marsh, especially that of mottled ducks. Jim and 8 staff were responsible for the management of four Wildlife Management Areas, covering over 30,000 acres of coastal marshes on the upper coast of Texas. They were known by thousands of Texas hunters and outdoor enthusiasts for providing the public with opportunities to enjoy hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. He saw the “big picture” and understood the biological systems that created it and the forces that impact the marsh. He understood how the state-owned properties that he managed, fit into the larger landscape and he was able to educate and involve others in the conservation of marshes on the upper coast. He engaged the public and private interests who have the ability to make positive changes in that important marsh system, thus he developed successful partnerships with county, state, and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, local industries, and private landowners to conserve wetlands at the landscape scale.
During his tenure, he completed “Career” level projects including restoring elevation to over 2,700 acres of subsiding marsh by deposition of dredge material. That work continues today. And Jim made a lot of friends. He and his staff worked with partners for more than a decade to create a hydrologic restoration plan for 60,000 acres of salt-stressed marsh, including acquisition of necessary permits and over $2.8 million in funding to install a baffle in a fish pass to reduce salt water intrusion. In 2010, he received TPWD’s Employee Recognition Award for conservation and in 2011, Ducks Unlimited’s award for Conservation Partnership in North America. Finally, in 2015 Jim was recognized by resolution from Jefferson County Commissioners Court for his efforts to conserve and restore coastal marshes in Jefferson County and maintain their role in protecting and supporting coastal communities. Thanks to the work of Jim and others, we now see that just under 200,000 acres of critical coastal wetlands are already on a path to rapid rejuvenation. Jim Sutherlin’s conservation efforts left a mark on the marshes of southeast Texas that will be visible for generations to come. Those of us that knew him will not forget his devotion to the conservation of natural resources, and to his family and his friends.
He is survived by his wife, Lynne Lange, two sons, Aaron and Kendall, and his grandchildren, Harper and Levi.
A memorial service will be held on November 19 at Levingston Funeral Home, Groves, TX, with visitation on November 18. In lieu of flowers, Jim has requested that donations be made to Ducks Unlimited or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE
MUTUAL ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 549
Del Valle, Texas 78617
TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT MUTUAL ASSOCIATION
SUBJECT: Assessment Call: James (Jim) Sutherlin #973
DATE: November 9, 2018
AMOUNT: $20.00
DUE: December 9, 2018
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Mutual Association (TPW Mutual Association) regrets to inform you of the death of one of our members, Jim Sutherlin.
Jim became a member of the TPW Mutual Association on July 21st, 2000. He retained his membership up until his death on October 22nd, 2018. A check in the amount of $5,000 was delivered to his spouse, Lynne Lange.
An assessment in the amount of $20.00 will be necessary to bring the policy fund back into balance to have payments on hand for other members in case of death. Please make this payment by the due date listed above.
Sincerely,
Jon Purvis, Treasurer
Texas Parks & Wildlife Mutual Association
If you have any questions regarding the TPWD Mutual Association, please contact:
President: Vacant
Vice-president: Dennis Gissell (512) 389-4407, dennis.gissell@tpwd.texas.gov
Secretary: Vacant
Treasurer: Jon Purvis (512) 389-8193, jon.purvis@tpwd.texas.gov