Obituary of Dale STERLING

Dale Alan Sterling, 53, passed away in Orlando, Florida June 28, 2009 after an extremely determined and hard-fought battle against overwhelming medical problems.Born at Fort Crowder Army Hospital near Joplin, Missouri on July 21, 1955, he was the third of five children born to Francis Robert Sterling III and Norma Jean (Jensen) Sterling.After living in Missouri and California the first five years of his life, he and his family moved to Hartington, Nebraska in 1960 where he attended school for the next 10 years.Dale and his family relocated to Lake Havasu City, Arizona in 1970. There, he completed his high school education, graduating as his class valedictorian in 1973. An accomplished musician and trumpeter, he attended Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona and Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and music performance in 1977.In pursuit of his musical career, Dale moved to Midland-Odessa, Texas where he performed with the Midland-Odessa Symphony Orchestra. For many years he was a member of the Lone Star Brass Quintet, appearing in concerts from Maryland to California.In 1987, he returned to Arizona to start a music program in the Seligman, Arizona school district, teaching Kindergarten through 12th grade. In 1988, he married Patricia Bealefield in Kingman, Arizona. His son, Erick Robert Sterling, was born in 1990 and shortly thereafter, the family moved to Oklahoma and then to Kissimmee/Orlando area of Florida where Dale taught at the ITT Technical Institute. He went back to college and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Design Engineering Technology from the University of Central Florida in 1993.Thereafter, he worked as a project coordinator and in computer assisted design and design engineering for a number of different firms in the Orlando area, the last ten years with Peninsula Engineering, Inc.Dale never lost his love for music, teaching himself to play several other instruments over the years and becoming quite adept at the guitar and keyboards. He composed, performed, and arranged music whenever he had a spare moment. His home was filled with various musical instruments. He was happiest when he was playing music.Dale, like his father before him, was extremely talented when it came to things mechanical and he endeared himself to his many friends and neighbors through his acts of kindness and generosity. Dale is survived by his son, Erick Robert Sterling of Kissimmee, Florida; his mother, Norma Jean Sterling of Lake Havasu City; a sister, Linda Jean Sterling of Tucson, Arizona; a brother, Michael Howard Sterling of Peoria, Arizona; a sister, Connie Jo Sterling M.D. and husband Ron Borg, M.D. of Phoenix, Arizona; a sister, Mary Lou Chambers of Page, Arizona; six nieces and nephews; two uncles, Jim Sterling (Margy) of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and Dallas Jensen of Maryland; five aunts, Janet Heller of Socorro, New Mexico, Virginia Morrow of Cottonwood, Arizona, Betty Woockman of Springfield, Missouri, Maude Dallman of Heber, Arizona, and Marilyn Kilberg (Bill) of Niceville, Florida as well as many close friends and neighbors who mourn his passing.Dale was preceded in death by his father, Francis Robert Sterling in 2005.A memorial service celebrating Dale's life will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home in Lake Havasu City beginning at 1 PM. Reverend Dale Ray will conduct the services. All who knew and loved Dale are invited to attend and remember his special intellect and many talents as well as his sharp sense of humor.REBThoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com