Pastor Ross Sterling

August 3, 1924 – August 4, 2017

On Aug. 3, 1924 Ross Sterling made his arrival to Sherman and Adeline (Pittman) Sterling in Latah, Wash. and 93 years and one day later he made his last stop in Moses Lake, Wash. on his way to his final reunion in heaven with the many loved ones who have gone before. Ross, like many of the “greatest generation,” made numerous whistle stops along the way as they defended the freedom we know.

During his growing-up years he followed his father’s career as a school superintendent, living in Kettle Falls, Coulee City (before the dam) and Spokane and eventually ending up at his Grandparents Sterlings’ farm in Chehalis, Wash.

During their travels, he was joined in the family by his sisters Glenna Kendall and Francis Sterling (both of Seattle) and Isabell Lege (Angleton, Texas).

He attended Napavine High School where the principal took him under his wing and taught him how to build his own crystal radio set and how to transmit Morse International code. So began one of the passions of his life: radio operator.

On Dec. 7, 1941, he was sitting in his grandfather’s home as a 17-year-old listening to President Roosevelt share his famous radio message alerting the nation to the events at Pearl Harbor. So Ross’s life, like many Americans’, would be dramatically changed. Ross was part of the first 18-year-old draft. He was assigned to the newly-formed 75th Infantry Division Headquarters Company, eventually ending up in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey at the signal school. He was so proficient at code he was also taught Japanese code so he could act as an intercept operator.

While in signal school in New Jersey he would take advantage of weekend leave to go up to New York City. While on one of his weekend ventures at a skating rink he met a beautiful Irish lass named Rose Carol. They would continue corresponding throughout his wartime assignments.

Soon after graduation from signal school Ross boarded the troopship General A. E. Anderson and after a stop in Australia they finally arrive at Bombay, India. After a long ride in wooden troop train they arrived in Calcutta, India where they boarded airplanes and were flown into Myitkyina, Burma. He was introduced there to his wartime companion, a large black mule. He learned to load his radios on a Phillips pack saddle and truly love the mule. Ross often went hungry given the logistics of moving and supplying the 124th Calvary from the air but he made sure his mule never did. The job of the MARS task force was to do the impossible and establish, open and build what became known as the Burma Road. The enemy had thought the task impossible but Ross’ group of 5,000 American soldiers accomplished it while taking significant casualties. They would serve out the balance of the war in that theater and Ross would be relocated to China at the war’s end where he was part of the occupation force in Shanghai, China. He learned to speak Chinese fluently while in Shanghai and made many friends among his national counterparts. Eventually Ross would return stateside and was released from active Army service in Fort Lewis, Wash.

During the war as he was able Ross continued to correspond with Rose Carol of New York City. Now he was back home it was important to follow up with getting to know her better. He traveled across the country to pursue her and they were married in 1946. Rose and Ross returned to Washington state, of course via train, and they set up housekeeping in Olympia. Their daughter Jeanne Marie was born after a couple of years. Ross enlisted in the Navy Reserve for some extra income and it gave him a great chance to continue with one of his many skills as a radio operator. The United States was at peace as a nation so what harm could come from that – right? Sure, enough, the Korean conflict started and Ross found himself once again on the destroyer escort vessel named USS Marsh heading for Asia. For the next three years Ross would find himself again wearing the uniform of our country, only this time it was blue not green. After his discharge from the Navy, Ross returned to his civilian job working for the State of Washington in Olympia. Ross would continue for many years as a member of the Military Auxiliary Radio System as a civilian responder ready in the event of a national crisis. Two more children would join his and Rose’s family: Roseanne and Ross Walter Jr. Ross’ career with Employment Security for the State of Washington would take him to Spokane and eventually to Ephrata where he was assigned to open the new office there.

Ross would meet his second wife Wyona Folsom there in the course of his business. Wyona and her four children Beatrice, Bobby, Pam and Ron would become a precious part of Ross’ life. He and Wyona would share an amazing life of ministry and service until her passing in June of 1999. They owned the Skyline wrecking and towing yard, and helped start the Airway Cornerstone Church in 1980. Ross was ordained as a minister of the gospel in 1980 and would serve for 21 years in that capacity. He would be influential in leading many to Christ as well as performing the sacraments of the church.

Ross married Betty Pittman from Duvall, Wash. and added her three children to his family: Shawn, Zane and Korwyn Peck along with her grandchildren. Betty and Ross built a lovely home on West Bemis street. Betty passed away from cancer after three and a half years of marriage.

Ross took vows of commitment with his fourth wife Emma Lou Bishop on her birthday Dec. 12 in Leavenworth, Wash. and added her five children to his family: Steve, Hanna Laura, Linda, Mary and Dan. They enjoyed 13 1/2 years sharing life, numerous trips around the country (Florida, Oklahoma, Branson), two cruises to Alaska and a lot of family and community events.

Ross had the privilege of traveling in 2010 with James Paris and Gene Davis back to Washington, D.C. as an honoree of the Honor Flight Program.

Ross was preceded in death by his parents Sherman and Adeline and infant brother Glenn; his wives Rose, Wyona and Betty and his children Bobby Folsom, Pam Lowen and Ross Sterling Jr., foster daughter Emargo McKee and grandson Jon Sterling.

Ross is survived by his sister Glenna Kendell and Francis Sterling of Seattle, Isabelle Lege (Joseph) of Angleton, Texas; his children Jeannie Marie Barlia (David) of Seattle, Roseanne Bryan (Mike) of Highmore, S.D., daughter-in-law Aimee Sterling of Spokane, Bea Stephenson (Don) and Ron Sterling of Auburn, Wash. Shawn Peck of Edmonds, Wash., Zane Beardsley (Robert) of Silverdale, Wash., Korwyn Peck (Mary) of Provo, Utah, Stephen Bishop (Cheryl) of Wenatchee, Hanna Laura Lane (Norman) of Westport, Linda Appleby (Kirk) of Spokane, Mary Croston of Spokane and Dan Bishop (Nicole) of Moses Lake, and by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ross was a member of several organizations: Central Washington Amateur Radio Club, the Tuesday and Thursday morning coffee group the Romeo’s (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and Model Railroad Enthusiasts of Central Washington. He was a member of the Faith Community Church at the time of his passing. His awards for military service included the American Theater Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal. Ross was a caring member of the Moses Lake and global communities for years.

Churches have buildings, a halfway house for orphans in Rivne, Ukraine has furniture and many other people have been cared for or had their needs met and their futures changed by Ross Sterling.

W7YCW over and out, now sending from a new location.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the church of your choice or the Northwest Honor Flight Fund, PO Box 28742, Spokane, WA 99928.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1020 S. A St., Moses Lake. Please sign the online guestbook at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in care of Kayser’s Chapel & Crematory.