Avery L. Sterling Jr.

On April 5, 2013, Avery L. Sterling, Jr. of Alger, Michigan, died at the age of 72 in West Branch. He was an accomplished man who lived his life to the fullest each day. Beloved by family and friends, this great man will truly be missed. Out of respect for Mr. Sterling’s wishes, no end of life celebrations will be held. Instead, the family asks that if you wish to honor his memory, please send a donation to one of his favorite charities, Johnny Burke Children’s Foundation. Please mail donations directly to JBCF, c/o Zehnder & Associates, 516 South Main Street, Frankenmuth, Michigan 48734. Mr. Sterling was born on March 29, 1941 in Prairie duChien, Wisconsin and moved to Michigan in the 1960’s. In 1974, he founded Michigan Optical, later to be renamed Sterling Vision Shoppes (SVS Vision). He was the innovator of the vertical integration model between optical retail and managed care that is currently used today throughout the optical industry. He had many passions including his North American Champion Percheron Draft Horses at Sterling Farms and later in life owned Lost Arrow Resort. Mr. Sterling loved the outdoors and as such was an avid hunter and fisherman who traveled the world. He was a lifetime member of Safari Club International, the National Percheron Association and the NRA. Mr. Sterling is survived by his wife, Diane, two daughters, Stephanie (Lance) Weisel and Denise (Jed Dowd) Sterling and one son, Avery (Autumn) Sterling, III. He leaves behind eight grandchildren, Ryan, Julia, Zachary, Holly, Hunter, Trevor, Addyson, Avery IV, who he enjoyed spending time with. He is also survived by his brothers, William and John, and sister Cheryl. Mr. Sterling was preceded in death by his infant son Greg.