Mr. Ernest Gregory Vaughn Sutton Sr. was born on August 12, 1961, in Tampa, FL to the union of Ernest Jessie Sutton and Josephine Stanley Sutton. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, of Tampa, Florida, who passed away on September 22, 2025, at the age of 64.  He was educated in the private schools of Hillsborough County: St. Peter Claver Catholic School, Sacred Heart Academy, and Tampa Catholic High School, all of Tampa, FL and graduated from the public schools of Tampa, FL, Hillsborough County, Chamberlain High School class of 1980. He Played semi-professional football for Tampa Bay Rangers & Tampa Bay Scorpions through the Police Athletic League. He was a retired EMT – Fire Fighter of Hillsborough and Marion Counties. He was an active member of the Masons Price Hall Origin – National Compact. U.S.A. Men of God – Lodge No. 7, 32nd Degree, Brother Ernest Sutton. He was known for his infectious personality, great sense of humor, a big heart, his smile, laughter that of a jokester lit up any room he engaged. He had a passion for spending time with friends and family, community service, and served as a varsity football coach through the Police Athletic League.

Ernest was preceded in death by his father, mother, sisters LaRue and Ernestine Sutton, nephew Daly Sutton, and great niece, Dierra Sutton. He was also the beloved husband of Vanessa Sutton that also preceded him in death in 2005.

He is survived by his loving wife, Vernell Yvette Carswell Howard-Sutton; his children, Erica Grigler, Ernest Sutton Jr., Michael Howard (Chantelle), Shakia Howard, Freddie Howard (Rebecca), Qcue Howard; brothers-in-law, Alvin Carswell (Sharon), Curtis Carswell (Vicki) and Van Carswell (Bridgett); sisters-in-law, Rosalind Carswell, Davida Smith (Anthony), and Erica Wilcox; grandchildren: Anthony Reed, Chloe Reed, Anasia Howard, Trevor Howard, Trenton Howard, Noah Howard, Uriah Howard, Cayden Miller, Leyla Miller, and Quinn Hughes. Special family members: uncle, Robert Stanley; nephews, Eric Sutton (Cheryl), Lorenzo Carswell, and Antonio Carswell; great nephews, Damonte Sutton and Horace Sutton; and great niece, Erica Sutton. Very special friends that are considered as members of the family: as a brother(s) - Deriek Wiggs (Rachel), Sylvester Bowers (a/k/a Cookie), Gynaro Milian, Reynaldo Milian (Valerie), Frank Wynn (Vanessa), Dad/Mom Marcelino Milian (Sylvia), Darryl Broadnax, Sheldon McCarr, and Michael Grayson, niece (a/k/a girlfriend) Robyn Wiggs-Blair, Cynthia Washington, and Retta  Washington (a/k/a Sissy) – and a host of other sorrowing nephews, great nephews, great nieces, cousins, and friends. Special Acknowledgment of his Mosaic Mason Brothers: Airion Bradley, Derrick Engram, Charles Hammond, George Hill and of hosts of other Brethren.