Alton Sterling, 70 of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on Jan. 21, 2024, at home. Alton was born on March 1, 1953, to August and Mary Hazel Sterling in Beaumont, Texas. A devoted father and friend, Alton worked for Brown Bros. Fencing and was a driver for Hawkeye Auto Salvage. He met and married his soulmate Deborah Johnson of Des Moines. The two were married for 50 years. A hard worker and a people person, Alton's favorite activities included playing solitaire on the computer, eating his wife's chicken wings, sitting outside drinking his Miller High Life, taking road trips to Texas, and spending time with his family — especially his grandsons. He had a gift for gab and never met a stranger. Alton was predeceased by his parents and four siblings: August (Butch) Sterling, Mary McDaniel, Gertrude Sterling, and Octavia Hamilton. He is survived by his wife, two children, Alton Sterling Jr. (Des Moines) and Tanika Sterling (West Des Moines); four grandsons: Desmond, Christopher, Calen and Keano; siblings Joseph Sterling (Beaumont); Gilbert Sterling (Palm Springs, California), and a host of other family and friends. A funeral is not planned at this time. Alton will be cremated, and a Celebration of Life will be planned for the spring.