Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Murray State Sports Information
MSU Athletics Family Saddened By The Passing of Gearl Suiter
6/9/2013 11:45:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Murray State Athletics family is saddened by the passing of Gearl Suiter, who died Saturday (June 8) at the age of 76.
Gearl, the patriarch of the Suiter family, was a friend to the Racers for many years and especially to the men's basketball program.
“Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Suiter family,” Murray State Director of Athletics Allen Ward said. “There was no one who loved the Racers more than Gearl. I'll miss seeing him in the front row at the basketball games. The Racer family has lost a very special person.”
Long known as one of the Racers' most loyal fans, Suiter will be missed.
“Our community, university and basketball program are tremendously saddened by the loss of Gearl Suiter,” MSU Head Coach Steve Prohm said. “He had an amazing impact on the MSU program for many years and this loss is felt by all former and current Racer coaches, players and support staff. Gearl embodied all that a true Racer stands for. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Suiter family at this time.”
The Suiter family was recently recognized for their gift that helped make the Dr. Gene Ray Center for Racer Basketball a reality as the head coaches' suite in the new facility was named in honor of the Suiters.
Visitation will be Monday (June 10) from 4-8 p.m. at J.H. Churchill Funeral Home located on 201 South Third Street, Murray, Ky. 42071. Funeral services will be Tuesday (June 11) at 1 p.m.
In the photo above, Mr. Suiter was surrounded by his family last February when the Ray Center was dedicated.
J.H. Churchill provided the following obiturary on Mr. Suiter.
Mr. Gearl Suiter age 76, of Murray, Ky., died Saturday, June 08, 2013 at the Murray Calloway Co. Hospital.
Mr. Suiter was born November 5, 1936 in Marshall Co., Ky., to the late Thomas Elroy and Melba Starks Suiter. He was retired after 30 years of service as a safety trainer for the Kentucky Labor cabinet. He was a member of the Glendale Road Church of Christ; Gearl was a well-known and considered to be one of the greatest Murray State University Basketball fans.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Price Suiter of Murray, they married June 5, 1969 in Murray, Ky., also three sons, Lindy Suiter and wife Lisa of Murray, Larry Suiter and wife Susan of Murray, and Terry Butler of Murray, one brother, Larry Suiter and wife Wanda of Murray, three sisters, Janice McClard a husband Terry of Murray, Debbie Gallager and husband John of Murray, and Lisa Starks and husband Ricky of Murray, five grandchildren, Jeramie Suiter, Kristin Crouse and Husband Justin, Ryan Butler, Logan Butler, and Lakin Suiter all of Murray, two great grandchildren, Ashlynn Suiter and Kennedy Crouse both of Murray. Also several nieces and nephews survive and his adored dog Lalo.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded by two brothers, Joe and Eddie Suiter.
Funeral service will be held 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home, Jason Hart will officiate, and burial will follow in the Murray Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Monday, June 10, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. at the J.H.
Churchill Funeral Home.
Online condolences can be left at www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com
Gearl, the patriarch of the Suiter family, was a friend to the Racers for many years and especially to the men's basketball program.
“Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Suiter family,” Murray State Director of Athletics Allen Ward said. “There was no one who loved the Racers more than Gearl. I'll miss seeing him in the front row at the basketball games. The Racer family has lost a very special person.”
Long known as one of the Racers' most loyal fans, Suiter will be missed.
“Our community, university and basketball program are tremendously saddened by the loss of Gearl Suiter,” MSU Head Coach Steve Prohm said. “He had an amazing impact on the MSU program for many years and this loss is felt by all former and current Racer coaches, players and support staff. Gearl embodied all that a true Racer stands for. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Suiter family at this time.”
The Suiter family was recently recognized for their gift that helped make the Dr. Gene Ray Center for Racer Basketball a reality as the head coaches' suite in the new facility was named in honor of the Suiters.
Visitation will be Monday (June 10) from 4-8 p.m. at J.H. Churchill Funeral Home located on 201 South Third Street, Murray, Ky. 42071. Funeral services will be Tuesday (June 11) at 1 p.m.
In the photo above, Mr. Suiter was surrounded by his family last February when the Ray Center was dedicated.
J.H. Churchill provided the following obiturary on Mr. Suiter.
Mr. Gearl Suiter age 76, of Murray, Ky., died Saturday, June 08, 2013 at the Murray Calloway Co. Hospital.
Mr. Suiter was born November 5, 1936 in Marshall Co., Ky., to the late Thomas Elroy and Melba Starks Suiter. He was retired after 30 years of service as a safety trainer for the Kentucky Labor cabinet. He was a member of the Glendale Road Church of Christ; Gearl was a well-known and considered to be one of the greatest Murray State University Basketball fans.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Price Suiter of Murray, they married June 5, 1969 in Murray, Ky., also three sons, Lindy Suiter and wife Lisa of Murray, Larry Suiter and wife Susan of Murray, and Terry Butler of Murray, one brother, Larry Suiter and wife Wanda of Murray, three sisters, Janice McClard a husband Terry of Murray, Debbie Gallager and husband John of Murray, and Lisa Starks and husband Ricky of Murray, five grandchildren, Jeramie Suiter, Kristin Crouse and Husband Justin, Ryan Butler, Logan Butler, and Lakin Suiter all of Murray, two great grandchildren, Ashlynn Suiter and Kennedy Crouse both of Murray. Also several nieces and nephews survive and his adored dog Lalo.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded by two brothers, Joe and Eddie Suiter.
Funeral service will be held 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home, Jason Hart will officiate, and burial will follow in the Murray Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Monday, June 10, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. at the J.H.
Churchill Funeral Home.
Online condolences can be left at www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com
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