John David Sturkie

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Orea Sturkie, and son, John David Sturkie II. He is survived by his sister, Judy Knight and husband Craig, his daughter Sayler Sturkie Robbins and her husband Greg, his step-daughter Aimee Luther and her husband Monroe, and his step-son Harlan Lane and his wife Cynthia. His grandchildren include Sam Robbins, John Henry Robbins, Gus Robbins, Mary Robbins, Monroe Luther III, Grayson Luther, Cameron Luther, Lydia Lane and Anna Lane.

John attended the University of Texas in Austin, and was first hired by the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Patrolman. Not long after, John made his way back to Houston to join his father at Quality Electric Steel Castings, LP (“Quality Steel’). In 1981, John became President of Quality Steel in a role he held until late 2017. It is no secret that the Quality Steel family of employees, customers and suppliers became John’s life passion.

Second to John’s love of Quality Steel, was his respect and appreciation for those who serve and protect Texan’s freedoms and safety. In particular, John enjoyed supporting and spending time with both active and retired Texas Rangers. John served as an Advisory Board member for the Former Texas Rangers Association and hosted many Company D and E annual meetings out at the ranch in Marathon, Texas. John was also a supporter of Houston’s Mounted Patrol and K-9 divisions, which live on today with Johnny Steel, an active patrol horse, and Bullet, an active K-9 member.

John lived a colorful life filled with fun and great friends. He was generous and kind to everyone he met – always with a story to tell. His contagious grin got him in and out of trouble his entire life. John enjoyed his time with family and friends, making ranch trips to west Texas and Oklahoma, quail hunting and fishing. We will miss his great smile, witty humor and kind heart.

The family would like to acknowledge his nurses and caregivers for their endless friendship and support, in particular Mary Warner and Zeferino Alvarado.

Friends are cordially invited to greet the family during a visitation from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 18th of January, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons; 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at twelve o’clock noon on Friday, the 19th of January, in the Sanctuary of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Deacons Parlor.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his honor be directed to the Former Texas Rangers Association 1618 Main St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624, or at www.trhc.org/giving.

As a dear friend said, “if we leave a legacy of family, friends and memories, we succeed.” John did and excelled.