Albert Sterling, Sterling,
December 29, 2014

Albert Alexander Sterling, Jr., 98, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother, died on Monday, December 29, 2014. Albert was born in Batson, Texas on April 27, 1916 to Nellie Iva Allen Sterling and Albert Alexander Sterling. The family moved to Houston in 1919. Albert attended the Kinkaid School through the 9th grade, which was as far as the school went at the time. During that time, he raised chickens and ducks, was a Boy Scout and very active in South End Christian Church. He wrote about his duck for a Kinkaid writing contest and won first place and received a five dollar gold piece and was featured in the newspaper. He attended San Jacinto High School where he was a member of DeMolay and graduated in 1934. Albert attended Rice University, receiving a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1939. While at Rice, he was a member of the Engineering Society, Pre-Law Society, Tau Beta Pi Scholastic Engineering Society and President of the Students' Association. He began his professional career with Ingersoll-Rand, working in New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. With the outbreak of World War II, he joined the Navy and reported for duty in May 1942 at the rank of Ensign at the U.S. Naval Station in Key West, Florida. He was later promoted to Lieutenant and was honorably discharged in November 1945. While in Key West, he met the love of his life, Virginia Florence Stewart, on a blind date and they were married 4 months later in St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Key West on June 9, 1943 and had 55 wonderful years together until her death in 1998. Their granddaughter, Katherine married in the same church in 2004. In 1945, Albert and Virginia moved back to Houston and he began working for Brance-Krachy Company. In 1947, he went in to business for himself as a Manufacturer's Representative for select commercial plumbing products. Albert Sterling & Associates is still a thriving business, which Albert sold to his best friend and business partner, Victor Schneider in 1995 so he and Virginia could travel the world together. He continued to work some in the business until several years ago. Albert was a charter member of the Houston Chapter of American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). He was also a charter member of the University Club where he played racquet ball with a 4:30 a.m. group for many years. He was a member of the Rotary Club, a Shriner and a lifelong Mason. He was a strong political conservative and donated to many organizations that advanced that cause, to Rice University and to many charitable organizations. Albert loved gardening and took great pride in his roses. Albert was a longtime member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church, which meant so much to him and where he continued to grow in his faith. He will be remembered by all who knew him as possessing the highest standards of honor and conduct, a remarkable sense of humor, moral integrity and sound judgment. He loved his country and was proud to be a Texan. Albert is survived by his daughter, Anne Johnson and her husband Bert of Midland, TX, his son Clay Albert Sterling and Dr. Charles Shaw of Houston, his grandson Sterling Holt Johnson and his wife Laura of Midland and their children Locker, Sam & Elizabeth, his granddaughter Katherine Johnson McKenna and her husband Tom of Highlands Ranch, CO and their children Jack & Ryan. He is also survived by his sister Frances Thurow and her children Hal Thurow and wife Susie and Alice Nowotny and husband Ned and great nieces and a great nephew. He is also leaves behind his best friend, Victor Schneider and his extended family, his neighbors and good friends, the Doug Leach family and his friend and trainer Kevin Bozant. The family would like to especially thank Adelina Ayala who took such good care of Albert over the past year and a half; Lilia & Humberto Benavides who took care of him and his home; Selvin Young who helped him around his home and with his rose garden and yard; and Bibian Mukoro, his home healthcare nurse. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056 (corner of Woodway and Sage Road) In lieu of flowers, donations in Albert's memory may be directed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 2425 Fountain View Drive, Suite 280, Houston, TX 77057 or to St. Martin's Episcopal Church-Hope and Healing Center, 717 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056.

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