This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JW.2ADE/8427 Message Board Post: Daily Independent newspaper Ridgecrest CA Kern County June 15, 2005 ROY EARL STERLING 1917-2005 Longtime local resident Roy Earl Sterling passed away Monday June 13, 2005 in Ridgecrest. He was 87. A memorial service will be held Friday June 17 at 11 am at the Masonic Lodge in Ridgecrest. Mr. Sterling was born Oct. 9, 1917 in Pueblo, Colo. to Albert Sterling and Lois Root. He moved to California with his family as a young child. He attened Porterville High School where he excelled in basketball and football. He graduated with the class of 1936. In 1938 he married his high school sweetheart Lorenne Avery. In 1941 they moved to Tulare where they reared their two sons Neal and Kent. Mr. Sterling entered the US Navy in May 1945 and received his honorable discharge in March 1946. He then began his 28 year career with Beatrice Foods in Tulare, delivering milk and forzen food products. He worked in Bakersfield prior to relocating his family to Ridgecrest in 1959 when the town had about 7,000 residents. At that time Beatrice Foods was located on Drumond Avenue. Mr. Sterling took over as plant supervisor, overseeing six delivery routes. After retiring from Beatrice Foods in 1963 he became a partner in the K&R Mrket in the Midway Shopping Center on North China Lake Boulevard. In 1973 he and Lorenne bought out the other K&R partners and the family-run business served the Ridgecrest community until the store was destroyed by fire in January 1978. He was a strong supporter of the community in which he lived. He became a member of the Masonic Lodge in Tulare in 1959. In 1965 he joined the Indian Wells Valley Lodge #684 and in 2002 was honored with the prestigious Hiram Award. In 1962 he bcame a Scottish Rite Mason and joined Al Malaikah Shrine. Upon his retirement the couple enjoyed traveling in their motorhome. At every opportunity he could be found fishing with his friends. He also worked with Habitat for Humanity for many years where he headed the organization's collection and selling of aluminum cans for recycling. He supported Dogs for the Deaf and was a member of the Optimist Club. He was preceded in death by his brother Arthur "Archie", brother Albert and sister Gladys. Mr. Sterling is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years Lorenne, brother James of Burbank, son and wife Neal and Nancy of Visalia, son and wife Ken and Susan of San Diego, grandson and wife Scott and Maureen and great-granddaughter Audrey of Sacramento, grandson Eric of Long Beach. The family requests memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, 129 E. Ridgecrest Blvd., Ridgecrest CA 93555 or to the American Diabetes Association, 2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833. Arrangements provided by Holland & Lyons Mortuary. Media information provided by the family. News Review newspaper Ridgecrest CA June 15, 2005 ROY E. STERLING Roy Earl Sterling died June 13, 2005 in Ridgecrest. He was 87. Memorial services will be held Friday June 17 at 11 am at the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Sterling ws born Oct. 9, 1917 to Albert Sterling and Lois Root in Pueblo, Colo. He moved to California with his family as a young child. He attended Porterville High School where he excelled in basketball and football and he graduated with the class of 1936. In 1938 he married his high school sweetheart, Lorenne Avery. In 1941 Roy and Lorenne moved to Tulare, where they raised their sons Neal and Kent. Roy entered the US Navy in May 1945 and received his honorable discharge in March 1946. He then began a 28 years career with Beatrice Foods in Tulare delivering milk and frozen food products. He then worked in Bakersfield prior to relocating his family to Ridgecrest in 1959 when the town had about 7,000 residents. At that time Beatrice Foods was located on Drummond and Roy took over as plant supervisor, overseeing six delivery routes. After retiring from Beatrice Foods in 1963 Roy became a partner in the K & R Market in the Midway Shopping Center on China Lake Boulevard. In 1973 Roy and Lorenne bought out the other K & R partners and the family-run business served the Ridgecrest community until the store was destroyed by fire in January 1978. Roy was a strong supporter of the community in which he lived. He became a member of the Masonic Lodge in Tulare in 1959. In 1965 he joined the Indian Wells Valley Lodge No. 684 and in 2002 he was honored with the prestigious Hiram Award. In 1962 he became a Scottish Rite Mason and also joined Al-Malaikah Shrine. Upon his retirement Roy and Lorenne enjoyed traveling in their motorhome. At every opportunity he could be found fishing with his friends. He volunteered his time working with Habitat for Humanity for many years. He headed the organization's collection and selling of aluminum cans for recycling. He supported Dogs for the Deaf and was a member of the Optimists Club. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years Lorenne Sterling of Ridgecrest, sons Neal Sterling and wife Nancy of Visalia and Kent Sterling and wife Susan of San Diego and brother James of Burbank. Also surviving him are grandsons Scott and wife Maureen of Sacramento and Eric of Long Beach and great-granddaughter Audrey of Sacramento. He was preceded in death by his brothers Arthur (Archie) and Albert and sister Gladys. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 129 E. Ridgecrest Blvd. Ridgecrest Ca 9355 or to American Diabetes Association, 2720 Gateway Oaks Dr., Sacramento CA 95833. Arrangments were provided by Holland & Lyons Mortuary.