Keith Sutton

Keith Norman Sutton (23 June 1934 – 24 March 2017 ) was the 97th Bishop of Lichfield from 1984 to 2003.

Early life and education Sutton grew up in Balham, London. He attended Battersea Grammar School and won a scholarship to Cambridge to read English but changed to theology. He graduated from Jesus College, Cambridge, in 1959. He was a keen runner (national schoolboy sprint champion) and was a Cambridge Blue at tennis. Before attending Cambridge University he did his national service with the British Army where he was commissioned into the Sixth Armoured Division and spent time primarily in Germany.

Ministry Sutton was ordained at Exeter Cathedral and served as a curate in Plymouth. In July 1985, he was sent by the Archbishop of Canterbury as a special envoy to support Archbishop Desmond Tutu who was facing threats of action by the South African government. He was the Bishop of Kingston from 1978 to 1984, having served as principal of Ridley Hall from 1973 to 1978.

Marriage and family Sutton was married to Jean Sutton (née Geldard), deceased September 2000. They had three sons (Mark, Paul and Andrew) and one daughter (Jacqui).