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WASHINGTON - After a courageous battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Gordon F. Sutton passed away peacefully Jan. 1, 2012, at his home in Washington.

Gordon was born Aug. 23, 1928, the son of Francis and Aida. He was born and raised in Detroit. Gordon Sutton was a dedicated and longtime member of the sociology department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an active resident of Amherst for over 40 years. Professor Sutton earned a bachelor's degree at Wayne State University in 1952, a master's degree in 1955 and a doctorate in 1959 from the University of Michigan under the tutelage of the distinguished human ecologist Amos Hawley.

He was an only child, and was the beloved husband of Dolores Sutton for over 50 years. Gordon will forever be remembered by his devoted, beloved children, Matthew Sutton, John Sutton and the late Amelia Sutton, who predeceased him in 2003; his treasured grandchildren, Lachlan, Asher and Clive; caring in-laws and countless other friends and family fortunate to know him.

Gordon loved listening to classical music, singing, laughing, being with his family, having fun with friends and teaching and engaging countless students at the University of Massachusetts.

Sutton began his tenure at the University of Massachusetts Amherst as an assistant professor of sociology. Sutton was later appointed to serve as the director of the Population and Ecology Studies Program. With an interest in social policy, Sutton's work focused on evaluating statistical classification systems of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. His dissertation on travel patterns in urban communities earned him a doctorate in sociology from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor in 1959.

Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Sutton served as acting deputy director for research and planning in the federal Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) during the administration of Lyndon Johnson. He also worked for the U.S. Census Bureau and as a visiting professor of sociology at the University of California Los Angeles.

Ever the optimist, Gordon Sutton believed that the social sciences could and should be crucial elements in the pursuit to improve living conditions in the United States, most particularly for those who were burdened by poverty. He was a gadfly to those who held more skeptical views. He would not tolerate wallowing in cynicism. A published author of two books, Sutton was widely respected, admired and revered for his many professional accomplishments and his ever-present compassion and integrity.

Gordon enjoyed playing the clarinet and sung with the choir in recent years at the Unitarian Church in Amherst. Gordon touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end.

A service was held Jan. 7 at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, 121 North Pleasant St., Amherst.

Donations may be made to the Gordon and Dolores Sutton Scholarship Fund at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in honor of their dedication and lifetime commitment to promote ethnic diversity and economic opportunity.