Sterling Eugene Ambrose
1949-2026
Sterling Eugene Ambrose went to be with the Lord on February 4, 2026. He passed away peacefully at home in his bed.
He was born February 23, 1949, at War Memorial Hospital in Berkeley Springs. He was the son of James Robert and Julia Eileen Ambrose.
He was a Baptist and attended The Redeemers Church.
He attended both Wilson Memorial High School in Virginia and Berkeley Springs High School, before moving to Orange, Calif., with his parents.
He was an Air Force veteran, serving from 1968-1972 in the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, 96th Bomer Wing, Strategic Air Command. He was crash-rescue firefighter rising to the rank of Sergeant. After his service he lived in Lake Tahoe, Calif. and worked as a security officer at the Squaw Valley Ski Resort.
In 1975, he moved back to Berkeley Springs and began working as a plumber. In 1976, he met the love of his life Kathy Sherrill. They were married in June of that year and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. Four years later, Sterling and Kathy welcomed a son, Robert.
In 1982, he began a 28-year career working for Morgan County Schools, retiring as a master plumber in the Maintenance Department. He was also a master wood worker and carpenter. Many people know him for his duck decoys, wood carvings and other wood crafts.
He studied American Indian culture, collecting artifacts and he recreated weapons and other items. He was a Boy Scout as a youth and served as an assistant scoutmaster of Troop 12, Berkeley Springs, in the 1990s, teaching many scout skills and merit badges. For almost 30 years, he was involved in Civil War and French and Indian War living history. In his retirement he volunteered and worked part-time at Fort Frederick State Park for 15 years.
He was a devoted grandfather and loved hunting, fishing, and spending time with his grandsons.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy, and son, Robert, both of Berkeley Springs, as well as his daughter-in-law, Christen, grandsons Chuckie (wife Kaitlyn}, Hunter and Jackson as well as his niece and nephew.
His wish was to be cremated, and services were private.
A celebration of life will be scheduled for the spring.
If you wish to make a memorial donation, consider donating to the Friends of Fort Frederick State Park, Cacapon Resort State Park Foundation, American Battlefield Trust, Wounded Warrior Project, or The American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsleyjohnsonfh.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, WV.
