09/03/2026
Leonard Paul Sutphin (Paul) was born on March 31, 1948, to Pearl Petty and Delbert Sutphin in Madison West Virginia, known as the “Gateway to the Coalfields.”
Both of Paul’s parents’ families hailed from generations of coal miners. After a terrible mine collapse that dented Delbert’s helmet but killed his close friend standing next to him, he vowed his sons would never work in the mines. Hearing there were jobs in Texas he packed up the family and, the summer before Paul’s junior year of high school, they headed for the Houston area, settling in Pasadena, Texas. It was there, at Sam Rayburn High School, that Paul met his future wife, Ruth Ellen Gantt. They Wed on August 17, 1968, and would remain together for just a few days short of 58 years.
From humble beginnings in the holler Paul went on to lead a life of adventure and service to his country. He proudly served as a Lieutenant in the US Army, receiving a Purple Heart in combat during the Vietnam war. After an honorable discharge Paul worked odd jobs, and as a shade tree mechanic to support his young family while he finished his bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Houston. After college Paul worked briefly as a high school teacher at O’Connell High School in Galveston Texas. In 1980 he was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency and went on to serve as a counterintelligence agent for the US during the Cold War. Throughout his career in the CIA Paul’s family was able to accompany him on longer missions, living in Pakistan, the Philippines and Greece. He believed in American ideals and fought to protect them, always demonstrating the courage of his convictions. He taught his children to do the same, even when theirs differed a little from his. He loved a vigorous debate which he passed on to, and frequently engaged in, with his daughter.
Paul enjoyed many adventurous hobbies and shared them with his family, including sailing, rock climbing, skydiving, tennis, travel and immersion in other cultures. After retiring from the Central Intelligence Agency Paul remained active, serving as a volunteer firefighter in Peel Arkansas, and helping to maintain the department’s diesel engine. He loved tinkering and building things. He built go-carts and tree houses for his grandchildren. One time, just for fun, he built a “hover craft” using a round piece of plywood, a heavy-duty contractor trash bag and a leaf blower. He then spent a few hours whirling around the driveway on it. He and a friend bought and restored a 1966 Datsun Fairlady and raced it on the vintage race car circuit. One of his projects, that would remain unfinished, was creating a way to attach a stirrup to a motor that would lower and raise the stirrup so his cowboy friend with bad knees could still mount his horse without the indignity of a step stool. In his last several years Paul was introduced to Legos and enjoyed putting together dozens of complicated models with his children and grandchildren.
Paul was a generous and loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend beloved by all who met him. He had a bond with all creatures great and small, evidence of his truly good nature. He was kind, full of curiosity and the wonder of life until his very last day. He will be missed more than words can express.
On August 13, 2026, at home with his family close by, Paul sneaked away without a sound, off on his next great adventure like the secret agent man he was.
He is survived by his brother Terry Lee Sutphin, wife Ruth Ellen Sutphin, daughter Jessica Lynn Sutphin, son Sean Paul Sutphin, granddaughter Janice Louise Baugh, grandson Davis Aaron Baugh and great grandson Henry Paul Domingue.
A celebration of life will be announced at a future date.
Arrangements are under the care of Diamond State Cremation located in Lead Hill, Arkansas. Condolences may be made at www.DiamondStateCremation.com
