Paul Sutherland

Paul, age 39, died as a result of a moped accident on Thursday afternoon, September 26, 2019. Paul, the son of David R. and "Peggy" Margaret E. (Finnegan) Sutherland, was born in Lansing, MI on June 1, 1980. Inquisitive in everything, he chased life with an energy only a few could muster. For Paul this was his cruise control. As firstborn son to a firstborn son--doing things first took him places, taught us things, and opened eternity's door, too. Repeating and receiving "Assalamalakium wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu or May God's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be with you" on this Earth for a wink of an eye, or less. We follow behind you, brother, three surviving: Mark, Kevin, and Kyle. We wait, with you already at Heaven's Gate, beneath our mother's feet you'll show us all that you've learned, first. He probably has the place setup with Google Home already. Paul was a world traveler, absorbing the culture and communicating with the locals of every place he visited. A pivotal point in his life occurred when he lived in Buffalo, New York, and reverted to Islam in 2001. Paul relocated to Istanbul, Turkey in 2002 where he quickly learned the language. Paul graduated from Kalamazoo Valley Community College with an Associates Degree. Recently, he trained in Costa Rica at the Hari Om Yoga School where he became a certified Yoga Instructor. Paul was a student of life and shared his experiences with everyone. We will never forget what you showed us, Abdul Wali. From Adam through Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus, David, to Mohammed you inquired, embraced, and shared: Ashaduan la ilaha illallah, wa ash-haduanne Muhammedan Rasulullah, we bear witness that there is no God but God and we bear witness that Mohammed is His Messenger and all his brothers followed his legacy. We are his witnesses to his lead, his inspiration, his love for all Creation and us, his family, especially his three children. We are all here for Paul's children now and until we return to God and those we love that have gone before us. Abdul Wali Paul Christopher Andrew Sutherland, we bear witness to his servanthood, his love for his family, for his religion, for our God and His Messenger, PBUH. For anyone that had the privilege of: talking with him, walking with him, working with him, laughing with him, sharing with him, praying next to, behind, before, along with & now, for him. Until our last breaths we will remember all of our best and his legacy. We too, anticipate our inevitable return with renewed vigor for life's circle and eternal peace waiting. Eternal togetherness with those we love, in Paradise, our Heaven, a place of rest, plenty, peace beneath which gardens and rivers flow. SA WR WB. Alhumdulillah Subhanallah Allahu Akbar. Paul is survived by his three children, Amira Phoenix Rose Sutherland, Aliya Lavender Ellen Sutherland and Zakariya Cedar Roger Sutherland; his parents, Dave & Peggy Sutherland of Richland; three brothers, Mark J. (Diana) Sutherland of Severn, MD, Kevin P. (Samantha) Sutherland of Grand Rapids, MI and Kyle D. (Lucy) Sutherland of Richland; five nieces and nephews and his paternal grandfather and grandmother, Dick A. (Jan) Sutherland of Coldwater, MI. The Islamic Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 30th at 2:00 p.m. in the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue (M-89) with Mr. Hakki Karaman, officiating. Interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland. Paul's family will greet friends at Dave and Peggy's residence immediately following the committal service for time of sharing, fellowship and light luncheon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Paul's honor may be directed to an Educational Trust Fund for Paul's three children in care of Dave & Peggy Sutherland. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com