Ross Walter Sterling Jr

Ross Walter Sterling Jr Surrounded by his loving family passed away from complications of cancer and progressive Multiple Sclerosis 2/14/11. Born 8/9/55 in Shelton WA he spent most of his early childhood in Ephrata WA.

Ross put himself through college while working two jobs and raising two children. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Ross and his wife Aimee attended St Alphonsus Parish in Ballard. Ross was very proud of his Catholic faith. He kept this poem for many years and wanted to share it at this time with the people who cared about him. 

God looked around his garden, and found an empty place; He then looked down upon the earth, and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best. He knew you were suffering He knew you were in pain, He knew that you would never, Get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough, and the hills were hard to climb, so he closed your weary eyelids, and whispered "Peace Be Thine." It broke my heart to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of me went with you, the day God called you home.

Ross is survived by his beloved wife Aimee, cherished children Roslyn (Chris) Besconson and Ryan Sterling, his parents, Rose Sterling and Ross Sterling Sr, stepmother Emma Lou Bishop, sisters Jeanne (David) Barlia and Rosanne (Mike) Bryan, Aunt and Uncle Robert and Glenna Kendall, Aunt Frances Sterling, niece Maryn Bryan and grandchild Gwendolyn Sterling. Ross wishes to thank Dr John Kirkpatrick for all his kindness and helping give him one last year to spend with his family. Funeral Mass to be held at 1:30pm, Friday, 2/18/11 at St Alphonsus Catholic Church, 5816 15th Ave NW, Seattle WA 98107. In honor of Ross' love of children memorials may be made to St Alphonsus School.