Phillip Wayne Sterling

Phil was born in Pueblo, Colorado on March 30, 1971 to his parents Phillip L. Sterling (deceased) and Diana Strubel Sterling. Phil has two brothers Jeff and Glenn who were very close growing up. Phil and his family relocated from Pueblo to Lone Tree, Colorado in 1985. He graduated from Highlands Ranch High School where he played the cello in the high school orchestra. He loved music and was selected to the Colorado All-State High School Symphony Orchestra by the University of Colorado College of Music.

Following graduation, he attended the University of Northern Colorado for one year before enlisting in the United States Navy. He served on the USS America CV66 and was on the Mediterranean/Indian Ocean Tour 1993-1994. Following his tour, he was stationed in Washington, DC, where he worked in the Naval Personnel Department.

After serving over five years in the Navy, he returned home and enrolled in truck driving school. He drove for the US Postal Service and was also an over-the-road driver. He eventually left that industry and worked as a Process Server until his car accident in January 2023.

Following his accident which left Phil as a quadriplegic, he was hospitalized at the VA Hospital Spinal Cord Injury Cord Unit for over 20 months. During his extended stay, he was cared for by the most amazing team of doctors, nurses, CNAs and caregivers. Phil developed many friendships with his team of caregivers who continued to call and visit him after he was discharged.

After leaving the VA, he was moved to a skilled nursing facility in Broomfield on October 7, 2024 where he resided until he was moved to the Denver Hospice Hospital on March 4, 2025. Phil left us on March 6th at the Denver Hospice Hospital. During his long and difficult journey, Phil never complained about his injury, he accepted his condition and handled himself with grace and dignity.

Phil loved music, was an avid reader, enjoyed fishing with his brothers and grandpa and was a huge dog lover.

Phil is survived by his mother, Diana Sterling; his two brothers, Jeff Sterling (Jennifer) and Glenn Sterling (Nicole); grandfather, Rudy Strubel; nieces and nephews (Kylie, Madelyn, Abbey, Nicholas, Andrew, Chase); one uncle and three aunts; several great aunts and great uncles and several cousins.

Phil will be greatly missed by his family, but our love for him will live forever.