Robert H Sterrett

On June 27th, 2022 Robert H. Sterrett “slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings…put out (his) hand and touched the face of God.”* Robert passed from this life doing what he loved: loving his family through acts of service.
Robert H. Sterrett was born March 31st, 1936 in Jefferson, Texas, to Mead Dowell and Winnie Mae (Harvey) Sterrett. Robert spent his boyhood in Jefferson and immediately upon graduating high school in 1954 joined the USAF where he served the country, he loved for 21 years.
He married Betty Frances Shelton on June 6, 1955 and together they embarked on a journey of devotion to one another that spanned 67 years and three continents. Robert served in Labrador, Holland, Vietnam, Thailand, and across the United States. He retired to Longview in 1975 where he continued to work at various jobs until his full retirement in 2007.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Mead Dowell, Jr.; and sister, Ida Merle. He is survived by his wife Betty Frances; son, Russell Edwin; son, Randell Alan, five grandsons, nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Syliva Sterrett, four nephews, and one niece.
Robert was a man of enviable character, focus, and discipline. His attention to detail, logical common-sense approach to problem-solving, and patient head-down-until-it's-done attitude afforded him a high degree of success in both his career and his personal life. Anyone who spent any measurable amount of time around him heard him say, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right the first time.”
His hobbies included handyman repairs, crossword puzzles, family genealogical studies, his two Boston Terriers, reading Western novels, and sustained connection to the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans.
Despite his intense devotion to quality in his work, he maintained proper balance in his devotion and availability to his family. He rarely sectioned time off for himself that did not include his wife, children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. His loyal, kind-hearted commitment to the ones he loved lead to countless camping adventures, trips to the mountains or beaches, and in turn developed a rich deposit of treasured memories as his legacy.
*“High Flight” by John Gillespie Jr.
Life Celebration services will be 10Am, Friday, July 8, 2022, in the Cammack Family Welch Chapel with Rev. Charles S. Barham officiating.