James Sterling Reckling, Jr.

James Sterling Reckling, Jr., born June 9, 1994, went to be with the Lord on February 22, 2021.  Sterling grew up in Houston and attended The Kinkaid School and The University of Texas-Austin.

Sterling, born to proud parents James and Elise, was the first exciting addition to a soon growing clan.  As the first born child, Sterling paved the way for his three beautiful sisters Lauren, Christiana and Elizabeth and what a path he paved.

Sterling showed early on, an affinity for all things outdoors.  Whether playing baseball at Post Oak Little League,  hunting with mom and dad (and later with his beloved sisters) or floating in the river in Hunt, Texas, the outdoors was Sterling’s love and his passion – a passion that would grow and flourish until the Lord called him home.

Sterling loved spending time with family and friends and was always the catalyst for fun.  Whether at the family ranch, the house on the river in Hunt, big game hunting in Africa or simply sitting by the fire pit at home, Sterling made sure the fun flowed and everyone was involved and felt included. His innate ability made everyone feel comfortable, welcome and at ease.  With Sterling, the pace was never too fast but always sustained and enduring.   He loved to cook and was quite the Chef, often inviting friends and family over for a quick throw together which usually ended up being an all- day event making lasting memories. 

Sterling attended The University of Texas and loved his time there. His Texas Rho brethren are too many to mention but to say Sterling enjoyed his time on the Forty Acres would be an understatement.  It was at The University of Texas the entrepreneurial bug bit Sterling and continued to grow as he moved into the business world after graduation.  With a head filled with great ideas and big dreams, Sterling began his journey, which led him to start St.  Hubertus, the dog food company for people who love their pets. He put all his efforts and energy into St. Hubertus and created a company that continued to grow in success, concluding with his most successful weekend of sales the weekend before he left this earth too soon.

Sterling was also quite charming.  His quick wit and infectious smile could disarm the best of them.  He had a gentle demeanor but was not afraid to mix it up if the situation called for it.  He was always willing to help a family member or friend.  Whether it was cocktails and games with mom, dad and his sisters, wine with his grandparents Cita and T.R., scotch with his many buddies or a cold beer on a dove hunt, Sterling loved being with people he cared about and always made the time count.  He was never in a rush to leave or end the evening – lingering to enjoy company of those he loved or cared about.  Anyone who knew Sterling will always remember his glistening eyes and half smile that meant the wheels were turning and the fun was about to start.   It was his smile that reflected the gentle and loving heart that beat in his chest.

Sterling was also of the earth.  He loved the outdoors and loved to hunt anything that walked or crawled. By his side the ever present Hugo would walk, tail wagging – ready for action or a scratch on the head when the birds were not flying. He loved the family ranch – and left us after doing exactly what he loved in the place he loved to do it.

While he is no longer physically on this earth, we know Sterling is near. We can still see that smile, still hear that chuckle and feel his lasting memory in our hearts. Sterling left this earth a much better place than he found it.

Heaven gained an angel. And Sterling is an angel that will sit on our shoulders and never leave our hearts and minds.

Sterling was preceded in death by his great-grandparents Mr. Harris and Mrs. (Carroll Sterling) Masterson III, Mr. and Mrs. William J. Reckling, Mr. Gus and Mrs. (Ruth) Canales and Mr. Luther and Mrs. (Silvia) Inkley; and by grandparents Bebe and Sherwood Inkley.  He is survived by his loving parents, James and Elise Reckling, his precious sisters Lauren, Christiana and Elizabeth, his grandparents Isla and Tommy Reckling, his aunts and uncles, Kim and Don Richards, Randa and Doug Roach, Christiana and Luke McConn, Cliffe Reckling, Stephen and Galen Reckling, Carroll Goodman, Thomas and Michelle Reckling, John and Angie Reckling and too many cousins to name. He is also survived by great aunts and uncles, Suzanne Inkley and Kay and Roy Fausset.

Serving as pallbearers will be Quatro Tips, Jake Parish, Zach Minnis, Phin Sprague, Lawson Lamme, Edward Wakefield, Lawton Anderson and Charlie Hoffman. 

Honorary pallbearers: Tucker Sauer, T. Reckling, Hunter Reckling, Rocky Tips, Ash Hollis, Harrison Hall, Carter Dewalsh, Lucas Henderson, Rob Montgomery, Barrett Mize, Gonzalo Perisquia, Max Scheinin, Hunter Hartwell, Harris Green, Jimmy Essman, David Duncan, Jimmy Greenwood, Jake McDermott, John Goodman, Tristan Fauntleroy and Charlie Reckling.

Please join the Recklings as they celebrate of the life of Sterling at a visitation from six until eight o’clock in the evening on Monday, March 1, 2021 at Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services, 1734 West Alabama Street in Houston.  The funeral mass will be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at St Michael’s Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston.  For those that cannot attend due to COVID-19, please visit https://youtu.be/l-FvP65hPVQ to watch the livestream of the service.  The burial will follow immediately at Glenwood Cemetery, 2525 Washington Avenue in Houston.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.TrinityOaks.org in Sterling’s honor.