Sterling Reed Brinkerhoff

Sterling Reed Brinkerhoff

April 12, 1938 ~ December 29, 2023

Sterling Reed Brinkerhoff at the age of 85, returned to his Heavenly Father on the night of Friday December 29, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. 

Sterling was born on April 12, 1938, in Joseph Utah, he was the third child of William Varsal and Olive Hicks Brinkerhoff. 

He graduated from South Sevier Highschool where he excelled in sports, especially Basketball. He was the High school's star player but unfortunately after suffering a severe knee injury his senior year, he was unable to continue playing the sport he loved. 

During his high school days, he met Elaine Winget who stole his heart while cheering him on as he played ball. He also loved to dance, and he and Elaine became the school’s Rock n’ Roll swinging sweethearts. 

When he was not playing ball, he spent his time hunting and fishing. He also had a love of cars, after graduation he became a mechanic and moved away and worked hard while waiting for Elaine to graduate.  

There he continued to work at the service station, after five years he and his friend became partners at their own station, one in Ogden and one in Logan UT. 

On June 10, 1961, he married his best friend and started their lives together in Salt Lake City. They were later sealed as a family for Time and all Eternity on Oct. 10, 1981.  Years later, he had to make the difficult choice to retire because of his health. This was especially hard for him because he enjoyed keeping busy. This led him to become a groundskeeper and mechanic for the Salt Lake Country Club for 30 years, which he came to love and enjoy.  

As he got older, he tried retiring three separate times, but they loved him so much they kept calling him to come back, which he did until he physically could not anymore and finally retire at the age of 82. 

After he finally retired, he was able to spend quality time enjoying his grandchildren, Breann, Jaren, Quintin, Olivia, and Maxwell and his two great-grandchildren Mason and Canyon. He loved the special time he had with his family, especially his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Elaine, his children Robert Sterling, and Lisa Ann. (Dean), Sisters Patricia Smith and Janet Wade. 

Proceeded in death by parents, William Varsal and Olive Brinkerhoff. Brothers Scott and Brent Brinkerhoff, and infant daughter Melinda. 

We will surely miss his witty sense of humor and silly jokes and filling their home with music and laughter. 

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah.  Friends may visit with the family prior to services from 9:30 to 10:45 AM.  Interment will follow services at Memorial Redwood Cemetery.