Clair Sterrett

Clair E. Sterrett, a true member of “The Greatest Generation,” passed away Friday, March 25, 2016 at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital from natural causes. Clair was born April 26, 1921 in Clay Center, Kansas to Clarence C. and Frieda (Cook) Sterrett. Clair moved to Sunnyside area in 1937. He served in the Civil Conservation Corps, farmed with his father and met and married his wife of 65 years, Bernice Warren Sterrett. After the farm was sold in the late 40’s Clair moved to Outlook and then eventually to Sunnyside and began a long career in the construction industry. He was an excellent cement mason and worked on numerous major construction projects including Hanford and the McNary Dam. Wanting to stay closer to home and family he then worked many years for a number of different local lower valley construction contractors. But more than his work career, Clair’s life was defined by his character; his love and support of family, his integrity, his strong work ethic, his loyalty to friends, his quiet strength and his rock solid dependability. Clair was an outstanding gardener, loved a good book, and was a staunch Mariner, Seahawk, Husky, Cougar and Gonzaga fan. His favorite activities always revolved around family. In death, his legacy will be the love and high regard in which he was held by the family. Clair is survived by daughter Madelyn “Penny” (Warren) Fordyce of Yakima, son Jim Sterrett of Boise, Id.; son in law Charles Dalton; step children: Sue (Richard) Watkins of Cowiche, Wa., Steve (Claudia) Johnson of Moscow, Id.; grandchildren: Lori (Jamie) Straus, Susan (Mark) Smith, Jaqueline (Mitchell) Henny, Vickie (Rick) Bruhn, Ron (Donna) Dalton, Rick (Pam) Dalton; 12 great grandchildren; and best friend Betty Evans. Clair was preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters, his wife Bea Sterrett, his second wife Louise Johnson Sterrett, step daughter Louella Dalton, grandson Randy Dalton, and Vicki Trammel whom he loved like a daughter. Memorial Service will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Valley Hills Funeral Home Chapel (2600 Business Ln., Yakima). Online condolences to the family can be left at www.valleyhillsfh.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clair Sterrett, please visit our flower store.