Jimmie Eugene Sterling, 86, passed away on October 17, 2020 at his La Junta home. He was born on April 28, 1934 in Enid, Oklahoma to James Garner & Beulah E. (Akin) Sterling. He married Shirley Mae Allen in Raton, New Mexico and they shared 66 years together.

Jimmie lived in Arkansas valley for over 70 years and did many things from lab testing sugar beets, hauling hay, truck driving and working on cars. He had 13 cars in one year.

He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church for over 64 years. He started Montgomery Wards April 1957 as tire mounter and mechanic and later as furniture delivery. Jimmie bought his own truck in 1969 and was owner-operator working for Wright Motor lines and later Bray motor lines hauling cross county across the United States. Jimmie was forced to retire in 1978 after having a stroke. He was a regular attendee at the Wright Motor Lines reunions.

He enjoyed watching Gunsmoke, Barney Miller, JAG, Bonanza and John Wayne movies while his cats, Simba and Baby Girl, laid on his lap. He enjoyed collecting model cars and country western albums. He loved listening to Gospel music. Jimmie would read his Bible and watch satellite sermons on Sabbath when he could no longer attend church.

He enjoyed having barbeques with friends and family and telling old stories about trucking and cars. He would send his dollar(s) to his grandkids every month. He lived on Ditch Street in La Junta Gardens from 1962 until he passed at home from cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Mae of the La Junta home; children, Rodney (Bertha) Sterling of Carlsbad, CA; Susann Sterling of La Junta; grandchildren, Kimberly (Ben) Martinez of Oceanside, CA; Angela (Anthony) Sterling-Donez of Carlsbad, CA; Rodney James Sterling of Brooklyn, NY; great-grandchildren, Isabella, Josiah, Nathan and Claire; nephews, David Sterling and Jerry Michaels; nieces, Serena and Sandy. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dale Sterling.

A graveside service will be Monday, October 26, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery with Pastor Ted Williams of the Arkansas Valley Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Swink officiating.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

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