Dewey Paul Sterling, 87, of Beaumont passed away Saturday, June 18, 2011, at his home. He was born March 7, 1924, in Gulf, Texas to Marie Elda Etie Sterling and Edmund A. Sterling.
Dewey was raised in Boling, Texas and lived there until he entered the army in World War II, serving in Europe in the 16th Armored Division. He, also, is a veteran of the Korean Conflict having served in Alaska.
Dewey married Suzanne Thompson on December 26, 1950. They moved to Beaumont in 1952 where Dewey went to work for Texas Gulf Sulphur. He retired in the early 1980’s.
A member of Lions Club International, since 1948, Dewey enjoyed taking children from the Beaumont-East Texas Area to the Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville, Texas. He served the Lions for 63 years, having served as District Governor during the 1995-1996 Lion’s year. In addition to the South Beaumont Lions Club, then the South Beaumont/Forest Park Lions Club, he and his family were very active in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and South Park Independent School District. Dewey was a founding member of the South Beaumont Lions Little League.
Dewey’s devotion to his family, church, Lions club and his country will always be remembered and stand as an example for his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Suzanne Thompson Sterling of Beaumont; daughter, Sheryl S. Butler and her husband, Mike of Kerrville; son, Paul Sterling and his wife, Jennifer of Sugarland; granddaughter, Lynne Sterling of Oceanside, California; grandson, Austin Sterling of Sugarland; brothers, Ross Sterling and James Sterling both of Boling; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Janice Sue Sterling; sister, Rose Davis, and brothers, Edward Sterling and Eddie Sterling.
His memorial service will be 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2011, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2011, at Broussard’s.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 4445 Pershing Street, Beaumont, Texas 77705 or Texas Lions Camp, P.O. Box 290247, Kerrville, Texas 78029-0247.
