Michael Ray Sutherland

Michael Ray Sutherland, 37, passed away on April 28th, 2020. Mike began his inspiring life when he was born on June 8th, 1982, in Royal Oak, MI. Mike primarily resided in the Detroit area including Clawson, Royal Oak and Ferndale. Mike also lived in San Diego, CA. Mike was happy-go-lucky, energetic, reserved and curious kid. He loved to play and investigate things with his big brother, Brian. Mike enjoyed spending time with his family, drawing, playing sports, taking things apart and putting them back together again. At a young age, Mike developed a deep love for advocating and protecting others. In his teen and early adult years, Mike loved to spend time with his friends, girlfriends and cousins. Mike enjoyed playing football, music, cars and getting stylish with his hip clothes and the perfect ratio of frosted tips to hair gel. Mike loved his job working at Clawsons Youth Summer Program. Mike graduated from Clawson High School in 2001. Mike attended Western Michigan University and Oakland Community College. While at WMU, Mike met Cate, his college sweetheart who he later reconnected with in a caring relationship for three years. Mike loved deeply and dedicated time and effort to remain connected to those he shared love with throughout his life. Over the years, Mike developed a unique and creative style, signature dance moves and a passionate love for sneakers! Mike was a thoughtful, dedicated and generous son, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin. In recent years, Mike worked as a machinist in the Aerospace Industry with his dad, John. Mike and his dad were two peas in a literal pod (Volkswagen Beetle) as they traveled to and from work together, played (and watched) sports together, and completed many landscaping and house projects together. Mike held his father in the highest regard of love and respect and his father did the same Supporting and protecting his son endlessly. Mike recently shared his pride for his mom through a note he wrote to her that included Kanye Wests "Hey Mama" lyrics. As much as Mike tried to love her more, he could never trump the equal amount of love and dedication that his mom shared for him. The love share between Mike and his mom was without condition and was built with the purest love known to this world The one-of-a-kind love shared between mother and child. As childhood best friends, Mike and his big brother, Brian, were inseparable They played, they laughed, and grew together. Mike and his brother, Brian, lived together for many years and they enjoyed entertaining friends and family together. As a gregarious uncle, Mike routinely filled family hangouts with bellyaching, tears in the eyes, drooling type of laughter while he talked, danced and played with his two littlest loves his nephew, Jack and niece, Charlotte. As adult best friends, Mike and his sister, Kaye, were self-proclaimed "twins". They shared a love for dancing, food, and style Mikes sister was deeply inspired by her big brother, a real-life superhero that she lovingly looked up to and learned from throughout her life. Mike infinitely loved and protected his sister as she did him - It was them against the world. Mike was always the first to offer his time and skills to support his grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins - He was especially committed to improving the lives of his aging family members. Mikes persistent efforts to make the world a more welcoming and loving place has inspired his family to carry on his legacy of service, empathy and love. Mike was a natural leader who was intelligent, fiercely compassionate, creative, resilient, joyful, witty and strong. Mike was committed to serving others, creating good and helping in all ways that he could He always went above and beyond. Mike was passionately inclusive and loved to connect people. Mike was a beacon of hope to many people throughout his life - He frequently offered his strong shoulders to share and ease burdens that others were facing - He generously poured his love and energy as he took on care-giving roles for family, friends and people in need. He was wholly dedicated to making the world better and encouraging others to do the same. One of Mikes work friends recently wrote that "Mike had the biggest heart in the world" and that is a sentiment that was evident to all who came across Mike during the wonderful life he lived. Mike was larger-than-life and nothing will fill the void that has been created by his devastating and untimely departure. Mike is survived by his mother and father, John & Gale Sutherland, his maternal grandmother, Helen Kronenberg; two siblings, Brian Sutherland (Amy) and Kaye Sutherland; his nephew, Jack; his niece, Charlotte; his uncle, William Kronenberg; his cousin, Krystal Borsh (Chris); his aunt Janet Nason (Roy, Scott, Nikke, Kurt); his uncle Steven Sutherland (Maria, Kristen, Anna, Mary, Natalie); his aunt, Emily Sutherland (Tina, Jennifer); his uncle, Bob Sutherland (Barb, Jake) and many loving great aunts, great uncles, baby cousins, second cousins, extended family members & friends who have become a part of the Sutherland family. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Harry & Ethel Sutherland, Ray Kronenberg; his uncle, Ronald Kronenberg; his uncle, Michael W. Sutherland; and his best friend, Dan Glynn. At Mikes request, no funeral will be held. A private family viewing will be held at Gramer Funeral Home in Clawson. Mike will be buried at Oakview Cemetery in Royal Oak. In Mikes honor, Mikes family seeks your support to help destigmatize mental health conditions, improve mental healthcare practices and to prevent future suicides. Suicide is devastatingly common and preventable. Please help us by sharing resources and offering support to help people in crisis. Monetary contributions in Mikes memory can be made to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at https://afsp.donordrive.com/campaign/In-loving-memory-of-Michael-Ray-Sutherland Please consider the quote below to help carry on Mikes legacy of service, empathy and love. Do all the good you can By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as you ever can. -John Wesley

Michael Ray Sutherland

June 8, 1982 - April 28, 2020