Carl Sterling Johnson, age 85, of Sugarloaf Mountain, Morehead, Kentucky, passed away Tuesday, November 6, 2012, at his residence.

Born July 27, 1927, in Rowan County, Kentucky, he was the only child of the late Carl S. and Louise Havern Harris Johnson.

His wife, Doris Marie Zimmerman Johnson, whom he wed April 16, 1948, preceded him in death on August 30, 2005.

Mr. Johnson is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Wanda Johnson and Scott and Starlet Johnson of Morehead, Kentucky; one daughter, Joni Johnson of Lexington, Kentucky; six grandchildren, Brian Sterling Johnson, Amy Johnson Cradduck, Kathryn Johnson Wilde, Paige Cummings Johnson, Carl Samuel Johnson, and Hannah Catherine Johnson; and two great grandchildren, John Sterling Cradduck and Ainsley Marie Cradduck.

Sterling was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a retired home builder. He was a member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local No. 248, Ashland, Kentucky, and Morehead Masonic Lodge No. 654. Sterling worked in numerous Democratic campaigns, enjoyed U.K. basketball, and was an avid bird hunter. A longtime member of the Morehead United Methodist Church, Sterling served on the Board of Trustees for a number of years and twice served as chairman. A devoted family man, he especially enjoyed his grandchildren.

Visitation is Thursday, November 8, 2012, from 11 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals. Masonic services will be conducted at 1:45 p.m. by Morehead Masonic Lodge No. 654 and funeral services at 2 p.m. with Dr. Jack Ellis and Dr. J. D. Reeder officiating.

Interment will follow in the Johnson Family Cemetery with full military honors by Morehead American Legion Post No. 126.

Pallbearers: Johnnie Fryman, David Saxon, Samuel Johnson, Brandon Bond, Don Lamb, John Hughes, Gene Duncan, and John Collis.

Arrangements are under the direction of Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, Morehead, Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Children's Home, 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 40383