Hon. Keith Murray Sutherland of Warrenton passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 21, at his home. He was 79 years old.
Keith was born on June 29, 1945, in Washington, D.C., to Zonna (née Murray) and John Sutherland III. He grew up in Normandy and Clayton, graduating from Clayton High School before going on to earn his bachelor’s degree in 1967 from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and his juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1973. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971.
Keith was united in marriage to the love of his life, Janet (née Haverkamp), on May 27, 1972. Originally a “city boy,” Keith embraced the small-town lifestyle when he and Janet began their married life together in Columbia, then Warrenton. Keith was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He was committed to his work and his family above all else.
Driven by his passion for the law, Keith had a distinguished career. He began as a private attorney in 1973 but quickly found himself called to public service. He served as prosecuting attorney of Warren County from 1974 to 1978; associate circuit judge of Warren County from 1978 to 1998; and was elected presiding judge of the 12th Circuit, which includes Audrain, Montgomery, and Warren counties, from 2000 to 2012.
During his career, Keith went above and beyond to contribute to his community and other legal organizations. He founded the 12th Judicial Circuit Treatment Court; was the first associate circuit judge of Warren County; served as the chairman of the Municipal Judge Education Committee (1988-2000); served on the board of the Crider Center for Mental Health (1978-2016); was a member of the Missouri Association of Probate and Associate Circuit Judges (1979-2000); Circuit Court Budget Committee (2005-2012); Coordinating Commission for Judicial Branch Education (1988-2000); and Circuit Court Budget Committee (2005-2012). He was a lifetime member of the Warren County Historical Society and a charter member of the Warren County R-III FFA Alumni Association. After retiring in 2012, Keith continued to serve as a senior judge until June 2024.
Keith was a historical savant and voracious reader who could recall events and historical figures at will. Every family trip was marked by stops at museums, cemeteries, and famous battlefields, where he shared the history of each location, often knowing more than the tour guides. Keith was particularly interested in Civil War history and gave many presentations on Civil War battles at the Warren County Historical Society to share his knowledge with the community. He also loved to trace back his family ancestry, journeying from Massachusetts to California and across the pond to England, Scotland and Germany. He was especially proud of his Scottish heritage, known to wear his family tartan for special occasions.
Keith was gentle, kind and inquisitive, with a quick wit, and was a danger to any donut, Jelly Belly, chocolate truffle, or Dilly Bar within sight. He loved watching the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs and Mizzou basketball and football with his sons. He was also very close to his two eldest granddaughters, whom he read to, traveled with and encouraged a life-long love of learning. Keith was able to officiate the marriage of his granddaughter Madeleine to her husband Harry in June 2023, and never missed a birthday, graduation, or family milestone.
Even after being diagnosed with cancer in 2022, Keith never lost his sense of humor and persistence to learn and soak up all life had to offer. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family, who will remember his smile, positive attitude, dedication to fairness and unwavering integrity.
Keith is survived by his wife, Janet; three sons, Micheal (JaCinda) Sutherland of Jefferson City, Justin (Michelle) Sutherland of Boise, Idaho, and Christopher (Heidi) Sutherland of Jefferson City; five grandchildren, Madeleine (Harrison deGrood) Sutherland of Minneapolis, MN, Anna Sutherland of Kansas City, and Grant, Lauren, and Bryson Sutherland of Boise, Idaho; two brothers, John (Judy) Sutherland IV of Clayton, and Ross Sutherland of California; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Bruce Sutherland.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 25, at Martin Funeral Home in Warrenton from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, August 26, at Immanuel UCC Holstein at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at the church cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested in lieu of flowers to the 12th Circuit Judicial Treatment Court or Immanuel UCC Holstein c/o Martin Funeral Home.
