Larry Lee Sterling, 76, passed away following heart surgery April 17, 2026, in the presence of his son, Spencer Sterling, and daughter, Jessa Sterling Parker. Larry was born on November 7th, 1949, In Holdenville, Oklahoma to Letha Joann Holliman & Leslie Leon Sterling, who preceded him in death. He was known for his outgoing & jovial personality, he made friends everywhere he went. Larry was a member of the Army Reserves from 1969-1971, before leaving Oklahoma.

After moving to New Mexico in 1972, Larry worked in various professions including land surveying projects like the Nambe Falls Dam. While living in Santa Fe he met and married Jamie Bacon Sterling in 1985. He attended and graduated from Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, and then completed his surveying internship with Bill Moser as surveying crew foreman while living in Angel Fire. As a licensed land surveyor he opened his company Sterling Surveys in 1991, and provided professional surveying for majority of Northern New Mexico. He lived in Taos for several years, before settling in Espanola to raise his son and grow his business. He was well known throughout his community, and always worked to be helpful to his neighbors.

Larry loved studying history, especially about his beloved home of New Mexico, and taking friends and families on adventures around the state. He enjoyed hobbies like gold prospecting, rock hounding, hiking, and metal detecting. Throughout his life he also wrote poetry, played several instruments, and enjoyed acting on stage and as an extra in westerns and history channel programs. He dedicated his life to land surveying, and likely walked more of northern New Mexico on foot than many residents will ever see. He was an avid animal lover, and rescued numerous cats and dogs over his lifetime.

He is dearly missed by his surviving family, his children Spencer & Jessa, son in law Derek Parker, his two granddaughters Brightly and Corbyn, his sister Beverly Blassingame and niece Dijon DeAnn Garcia, his friend and ex-wife Jamie Sterling, numerous friends, and his cats Zoey and Pumpkin.

The family will be holding a Memorial Service at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola,, NM, on May 15, 2026, at 5:00 pm.

The family of Larry Sterling has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola, NM.  505-747-7477