Christopher D. Suntum

Christopher Douglas Suntum, of Columbia, died June 11, 2008, of brain cancer, at his residence. He was 57.

Born April 18, 1951, in Denver, to James L. and Eleanor Suntum, he graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in 1969.

In the early 1970s, he graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. In the late 1970s, he earned a drafting certificate from the Maryland Drafting Institute, in Silver Spring.

Following college graduation, Mr. Suntum hitchhiked across the country, and visited friends and family along the way. He also took the opportunity to roam the Rocky Mountains, which according to family members remained a favorite destination throughout his life.

In 1990, he married M. Colette Sorrell.

Mr. Suntum worked as a civil engineer designer for Kimber Engineering in Gaithersburg for five years. He also worked for A. Morton Thomas & Associated Inc. in Rockville, a civil engineering firm; and Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, also a civil engineering firm in Baltimore, for the last 10 years.

Family members recall that he was an avid golfer. He also enjoyed family gatherings and supporting his children's academic and sporting activities.

He was predeceased by his father, James L. Suntum.

In addition to his wife of 18 years, Mr. Suntum is survived by a daughter, Katherine Cecilia Suntum, of Columbia; a son, John Christopher Suntum, of Columbia; his mother, Eleanor Suntum, of Takoma Park; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, the Rev. James J. Suntum, of Chimayo, N.M., Joseph P. and Joan Suntum, of Damascus, and George P. and Virginia Suntum, of Palm City, Fla.; seven sisters and four brothers-in-law, Moira Suntum, of Tacoma Park, Peggy Suntum, of Reston, Va., Eleanor Suntum, of Wolf Creek, Ore., Phyllis and Jim Phillips, of Salisbury, EvaMarie Suntum and Mark Thorpe, of Sterling, Va., Lucy and Joe Schneid, of Portland, Ore., and Virginia and Sean O'Malley, of Catonsville; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held June 14, 2008, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, in Fulton.

Memorial donations may be made to Colette Suntum, for the benefit of surviving children's educational trusts, 8630-M Guilford Road #148, Columbia, MD 21046.

Online condolences may be made at www.slackfuneralhome.com.

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