John D. Sturgess

John Dennis Sturgess, 81, of Asheboro, NC beloved husband of May Holyoak Sturgess passed away peacefully on October 7, 2009, at Randolph Health and Rehabilitation Center after a long fight with post stroke dementia. Mr. Sturgess was born in Oadby England, to parents Thomas William Claude Sturgess and Lily Weston Sturgess. He was the youngest of three siblings. John served in the British Army Special Forces and married his true love May Holyoak in 1950. In 1959 John and May along with four children immigrated to the United States after making family friends with members of the US Air Force while John worked at Bruntingthorpe Airbase in Leicestershire England. He was sponsored by Overseas Motors Corp. of Ft. Worth, Texas and worked in the foreign automotive service industry for many years. Blessed with great mechanical aptitude and skill, he worked on several race cars and engineered a Mini Cooper racing team to three straight SCCA National Championships. John had his own automotive business for several years in Corpus Christi, TX. In later years after retiring in Asheboro, he turned his creative energy to his hobbies which included photography, painting, and woodworking, with an emphasis on furniture making. Survivors include his wife of 59 years May Holyoak Sturgess, six children, Andrew J. Sturgess of Rockwood, MI, Gary W Sturgess of Ft. Worth, TX, Janice S Tarlton and husband Billy of Asheboro, NC, Fiona S. Carter and husband Darrell of Randleman, NC, Juanita S. Biensack and husband Gerhard of Hunfeld, Germany, Kevin F. Sturgess of Tomball, TX. Mr. Sturgess also had 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at All Souls Anglican Church on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 following the mass at 10:30am. Arrangements by Pugh Funeral Home, Asheboro. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, Carolina Piedmont Chapter, 3420 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215 or All Souls Anglican Church, P.O. Box 1732, Asheboro, NC 27204-1732 or Hospice Of Randolph, P.O. Box 9, Asheboro, NC 27204-0009.