Mark Sutton (senior) was born on September 23, 1900 to John and Sarah (Watts) Sutton and was raised in Terre Haute, Indiana. Sutton graduated from W.J.H. High School in 1918, and later attended the University of Illinois, graduating in 1924. In college Sutton played water basketball and lettered in swimming.

On August 8, 1928, Sutton married Dorothy Anne Miller in Portage, Wisconsin. Together they had three children: Mark R. Sutton, Olive Ann (Sutton) Collier, and John F. Sutton.

Sutton began his coaching career circa 1922 in Richland Center, Wisconsin. Two years later he began coaching in Portage, Wisconsin. After that he coached in Manitowoc, Wisconsin for one year. In 1929, Sutton began coaching at La Crosse Central High School in La Crosse, Wisconsin. During his 22 years coaching at Central High School, Sutton was involved with six different sports: swimming in 1930 and 1952; cross country in 1932, golf from 1941-1944, football from 1930-1932, track from 1930-1939 and 1945, and basketball from 1929-1950.

In addition to his coaching career, Sutton was also a teacher in the mathematics department at Central High School. While he retired from coaching in 1952, he remained a teacher until 1966. In addition, Sutton, in coordination with La Crosse Tribune Sports Editor, Ray Peacock, implemented the annual Willard Hanson Relays, which Sutton also directed as referee until 1966. Sutton also developed the intramural sports program at Central High School.

Within the La Crosse community, Sutton served as a deacon of the First Presbyterian Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and was a member of the congregation for 50 years. Sutton was also a 50 year member of Smith Chapter 13 of the Free and Accepted Masons, and of Badger Lodge 345 of the Free and Accepted Masons. He was a member of the American Association of Retired Teachers and the National Retired Teachers Association.

Mark Sutton died October 29, 1984 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.