Thomas “Tommy” Francis Sterken, Sr. passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2015 at the age of 78 following a most courageous battle with ALS.
A native of New Orleans, LA, Tommy was a resident of Picayune, MS and member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church for the past 20 years where he served as part of the St. Joseph Alter Society.
He enjoyed a long and successful career as a Draftsman with Shell Oil Company, until his retirement in 1993. Tommy, who had great passion for history and the military, also served his state and country in the Army National Guard and as a Reserve of the Army from 1955 through 1963. He was an incredibly talented artist who built and painted models and soldiers as a hobby for more than 40 years, sharing that talent with his grandsons through special collections he created for each of them.
Through all his talents and successes, his true passion remained his family, attending academic, religious and sporting events for each of his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank L. Sterken and Agnes McCormick Sterken, his sisters, Iris Durand, Yvonne DiMicell, and Mary Sanchez; and his brother, Frank Sterken, Jr.
Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife and best friend of nearly 60 years, Jean Sheasby Sterken; his children, Terrie Layburn, Sherrie (Janet) Sterken, Kerrie (Robert) Loyde, and Thomas (Shelley) Sterken, Jr.; his 6 grandchildren, Ashley (Javier) Jurado, Nicholas Layburn, Brett and Matthew Sterken, Olivia and Emma Loyde; his 2 great grandchildren, Julian and Victoria Jurado; his brother, Donald Sterken; and his sister, Juanita Ernst.
We thank God for the gift of his life and the blessing of the time we spent with him.
Father Joseph Trinh will officiate a Funeral Mass honoring Tommy on Saturday, June 20th at 11:00 am at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 1000 Goodyear Blvd., Picayune, MS.
Visitation will begin at 9:30 until Mass time. A private burial will take place in the near future at Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetary in New Orleans, LA.
Obituary, Register Book, and Driving Directions can be found on the internet page, at www.mcdonaldfh.com.