If God needs a “42” partner, a fishing buddy or a good storyteller, he got one on Jan. 19, 2022, in Sterman M. Young.

A veteran of World War II and a long-time West Texas oilman, Sterman was born June 9, 1921, in Jean, Texas, fourth child of V.W. and Nettie (Cox) Young. He celebrated a milestone 100th birthday last June.

He is preceded in death by both parents, sisters Myrtie Jean Smith, Anita Marley, Jolene Enright, and brother Dewey Young. Also, grandson Brent Bolin and son-in-law Pete Daniel.

Sterman attended the early days of school in Markley in a two-teacher country schoolhouse (grades 1-8 and 9-12) with no electricity, no gas or running water – just a well with a hand pump for water, a wood-burning stove for heat in the winter and separate outhouses on the property for boys and girls. At 8-years-old, he learned to run a team of horses and mules to help plow the family farm. He attended Jermyn High School and began working in the oilfield at 16.

Sterman married Virgie Potts on July 3, 1941, in Walker, Okla. She was 16 and he was 20. They celebrated their 80th anniversary in 2021 with their tradition of a bologna sandwich on store-bought white bread and a cherry fried pie. That was the first meal of their married life and a meal they commemorated every year.

Sterman worked in the oilfield his entire career except during World War II. The oilpatch shut down after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, so the newlyweds headed to California where Sterman got work as a pile driver in the shipyards building dry docks for ship repair. His experience as a tool dresser on a cable tool drilling rig helped him get that job. The couple lived in Stockton, where Ginny was born in 1943.

In August 1944, Sterman was drafted and shipped out to Europe in January 1945, assigned to the 100th Division, 7th U.S. Army, 125th Combat Engineers that built bridges and roads. It was during occupation in Germany after the war that Sterman learned to cook. He was discharged in May 1946 with the rank of staff sergeant.

Back to the Texas oilfield, Sterman first got a job in Graham, then moved to Post in 1947. He went to work for Grishman-Hunter Oil Co. in 1948 making $2 an hour (a good wage at the time) and stayed with the company for 35 years, including its successors Cosden Petroleum Corp. and American Petrofina.

The Young family lived in a company house on the oil lease just outside of Post. Gary was born in 1950 and Nina was born in 1952. Sterman was the production superintendent on the lease, but with his extensive experience, he also did all the drilling, completions and workovers. Before retiring in 1982, he was overseeing about 200 wells as district superintendent.

Sterman and Virgie had moved to town in 1978 and Sterman worked for about six years after retirement as a consultant for Fina and other companies, including work at the refinery in Big Spring.

Along the way, Sterman found time to fish during lots of trips to Colorado, trips to various lakes, a summer trip to Alaska and even a deep-sea fishing trip or two. He also loved woodworking and building small pieces of furniture, which are treasured pieces to family members to this day.

Sterman and Virgie also loved playing games – dominoes, cards and board games – which kept their minds sharp. Lots and lots of stories, laughter and good times were shared around game tables over the years.
He was a member of the Post Church of Christ, the Post VFW, and was active with the Garza County Trailblazers, the local senior citizens’ organization.

He is survived by his wife, Virgie; all three children: Virginia “Ginny” Bolin and husband, Sam, of Abilene; Gary and wife, Peggy, of Denton; and Nina Daniel Watson and husband, Bill, of Kingman, Ariz.; two granddaughters: Betsey Bolin Craig and husband, Tom, of Abilene; Tracy Daniel Johnson and husband, Lee, of Cisco; two great granddaughters, Amanda Johnson Lee and husband, Brenden, of Columbus, Ind.; and Ashley Johnson of Weatherford; plus one great-great granddaughter, Aubrey Jo; and a host of dear nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Hudman Funeral Home in Post. A graveside service will be Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Markley Cemetery in Young County, next to the old Plum Grove School where Sterman attended.