Stacey "Chris" Shawn Sterling

Chris was born on June 11, 1962, to Joan (Deceased) & Harold (Deceased) Sterling in Cincinnati, Ohio. He had 4 brothers, Harold “Ted” (Deceased), Shane (Deceased), Timothy, and Heath. His family moved to Florida when he was 2 years old. He grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida and attended St. Pete High School where he was a member of the Green Devil Marching Band.

He met his wife Edith Dunn (he called her Edie) in 1984. It was love at first sight. A year later they married at First United Methodist Church in Clearwater on September 7, 1985, and honeymooned in St. Augustine. They spent many anniversaries in St. Augustine including their 35. Chris and Edith were married 36 years and had two wonderful children, Justin Stacey (1988) & Stephanie Ann (1995). Chris was first and foremost a family man. He adored his children and loved spending time with family. Many hours were spent teaching his kids how to ride a bike and passing on his love for sports. They played basketball in the driveway, tossed the baseball or football, and loved swimming in the family pool. His love of family was of his whole family including his in-laws and outlaws (as he would say). A number of holidays and special occasions where spent with the extended family cooking out, enjoying football or celebrating special moments. His nieces affectionately call him Uncle Boo to this day.

In addition to his children, he had a great love for animals. His house was never without a pet (dog or cat). He loved to walk his dog Lucy and play frisbee with her in the back yard. He loved his cats Tiger and Princess even though Tiger would wake him demanding to be fed at 5:00 a.m. every morning even on the weekends. He also enjoyed visiting with his Grand-Dog Luke and Grand Cats Leia and Ariel.

His love of sports was beyond devotion. He was an avid Bucs, Rays and Lightning fan as well as his home team the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds. His wife was so understanding of this other love she let him watch Dan Marino and the Dolphins on tv while on their Honeymoon in St. Augustine. He was typically seen wearing a baseball cap or t-shirt with one of his favorite teams on it. He passed his love of sports on to his children. He was an assistant coach for Justin’s little league baseball team (Stephanie played baseball to), a cub scout leader and biggest fan of Stephanie’s gymnastics and cheerleading events. No matter what event his children were involved in he was there.

Chris’ career began working for a landscaping company in Largo until he was hired at the City of Safety Harbor where he started in sanitation and later moved into the Parks Department. In 1997 he was hired by the City of Clearwater where he worked in the Parks and Recreation Department for 24 years.

Chris’ was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Clearwater for many years. Many Sundays were spent attending services and taking his children to Sunday School. He felt it was important for his children to have the opportunity to learn about Jesus and God’s Word. Knowing his faith in God is what will help his family through the days ahead.

Chris was a great Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle and Friend. He will be remembered for his love of sports, putting ketchup on everything, being very passionate and not afraid to say what he was thinking, listening to music for hours especially rock and country, Reese cups, his love of going to the movies (his favorites Batman, Star Wars, Marvel, DC & Disney, to mention a few). Always with a large popcorn and coke in hand. Happily, he and his children (which includes his son-in-law Ryan who was like a son to Chris) were able to see Black Widow together and attend a Rays' Game in June while celebrating his birthday and Father’s Day.

Chris is survived by the love of his life, Wife - Edie, Son – Justin Sterling, Daughter/Son In-Law – Stephanie & Ryan Fuetterer, Brothers – Timothy & Heath Sterling, Furry Children- Lucy, Tiger and Princess, Furry Grandbabies - Luke, Leia & Ariel.