Sterling Sam Jordan, 90, of Art, Mason County, Texas passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Knopp Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Fredericksburg, Texas. Sterling was the son of Ernest and Clara Brandenberger Jordan, and was married to Carlita Luckenbach Jordan.

After attending Mason High School, Sterling left his parents' ranch in Art, Texas to enlist in the United States Navy in 1944. Although he and Carlita had dated prior to his leaving for the war, she was adamant that they not marry until after the war, because she was sure it was the reason he would return home to her. After serving as Quartermaster on a Landing Craft Tank in the Pacific Theater in World War II, he was honorably discharged as Seaman First Class in 1946. He then returned home to Art and married Carlita in Menard, Texas in October that year. Although he may have once dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, he started his family and dutifully ranched his father's family land, creating a good and honor-filled life, continuing ranching and farming until the time of his retirement to the nursing center in Fredericksburg just a year ago.

Sterling was a rancher and a cowboy, a father and a keeper of his remarkable Texas-German family history, a sailor and a son, but above all, he never stopped serving God, country, family, and everyone else he could possibly give his time and talent. For 56 years he was a member, chaplain, and commander of the American Legion and VFW, constantly in service of fellow veterans and their families. He taught Sunday School at Art United Methodist Church and was a fervent missionary for the Gideons International, witnessing and spreading the Word of Christ. In many ways, Sterling was a man, just like Gideon of the Bible, who was willing to do exactly what God wanted him to do, regardless of his own plan. He lived in humility and faith, walking the path of obedience every day of his life.
Those who knew him also knew he had a knack for telling a story. Whether it was about riding his horse to school, any number of teenage mischiefs a boy could get into, or retelling the immigration and settlement history of the German ancestors who went before him, Sterling always had a tale that most likely was better than any history book. Looking back, it was Sterling's love of reading, wit like a razor, and love of a good joke that kept his storytelling spirit kindled. He was a wizard with language as well as with stories.
Sterling is preceded in death by his wife, Carlita Luckenbach Jordan, his parents, Ernest and Clara Jordan, his sisters, Ruby Jordan, Ruth Jordan, and Dorothy Lowe, his son John Ernest Jordan and his grandson Adam Ray Jordan.

He is survived by his daughter, Gail Jordan Sholar, her husband Nolan and their children Alina Sholar, MD and husband Buddy Lopez Pastrano, MD, and Greg Sholar and wife Vanessa. Also surviving are his son, Max Ray Jordan and wife Jan and their children, Emily Rhodes and her husband Chris Rhodes, DO, and Lee Ray Jordan and wife Amy. Also surviving are his grandson Stuart Jordan and wife Julia, and granddaughter Caroline Jordan, daughter-in-law Susie Jordan, great-grandchildren are Tyler Sholar, Cameron Sholar, Raylee Jordan, Harper Jordan, Jack Jordan, Colleen Hollingsworth, Brain Hollingsworth, Jasmin Hollingsworth, Jordan Hollingsworth, and future granddaughter Piper Jordan. Sterling is also survived by brothers-in-law Nolan Donop and Darwin Schrader and sisters-in-law Tommie Lou Luckenbach and Doris Ogden.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 29th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Mason Funeral Home.Funeral services will be Thursday, March 30th at 3:00 pm at Art UMC with Pastor Tim Fahrenthold of Art UMC, officiating. Burial with military honors and rifle salute will follow at Art Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Duane Lowe – Darrrell Lowe – David Eckert – Curtis Schrader –Stuart Jordan – Lee Jordan- Greg Sholar. Honorary Pallbearers: Shultz Hadley – Richard Ogden - Gary Donop – Buddy Lopez Pastrano – Chris Rhodes.
Donations may be made in Sterling Jordan's honor to Gideons International or Art United Methodist