Sterling Bender

Sterling Bender, 34, passed away on April 27, 2020 in Buda, Texas. He was born on September 21, 1985 in Austin Texas and was lovingly known as Squirrel among his friends and family. He was a gentle soul, beloved by all who knew him, always humble, kind, generous, sweet, and extraordinarily funny. He was a clerk and battery maker at Batteries Plus Bulbs in South Austin for over 7 years and was loved by coworkers and customers alike for going above and beyond what was expected of him. Sterling was notorious for charming wild animals into friendship, ironically, especially squirrels. He was an exceptionally talented musician, beginning in middle school orchestra on double-bass. Over the years he learned to play every instrument he touched, including mastering classical-Spanish style guitar, completely on his own, along with creating numerous original compositions, including beats and both electronic and classical music. He also was an avid gamer, known as “Squirrelpion” to his Twitch followers, with a network of friends around the world that came to appreciate not only his passion for gaming but also his hauntingly beautiful guitar playing and outrageous sense of humor. He seldom took life seriously and had an uncanny ability to make people laugh even during the most somber situations. He will be dearly missed by every life he touched. Sterling is survived by his beloved grandmother Momo, Edith Holland of Buda, who raised him, as well as his siblings, almost Irish twin sister Alexandrea Dee Bender, her husband Cayce Crummer, and nephews Arion, Skye and Aesun of Kyle; sister Sally Bender of Oklahoma City, sister Marianne Rafferty and her family of Los Angeles, brother Austin Bender of Brookeland, brother Matthew Bender and his wife Stephanie of Salem, Oregon, uncle Charles Hinkley and his family of New Braunfels; aunt Yolanda Hinkley of Buda; aunt Andrea Hester and her family of Dallas; aunt Gwen Whitlock and family of Denton, aunt Lynn Dunn and family of Denton, Uncle John Bender, numerous cousins, and a plethora of amazing friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Sandie Dee Bender, and his father, Richard Lee Bender, as well Aunt Shauna Jacobson, and Uncle Mark Bender. Visitation for family and close friends will be held Sunday, May 3, 2020 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Lux Funeral Home 1254 N. Business IH 35, New Braunfels, TX 78130. A graveside funeral service will be held May 4, 2020 at 3:30 pm at Onion Creek Memorial Park, 11610 Chapel Lane, Austin, TX 78748. We will try to accommodate as many people as possible under the tent but seating is limited. Please bring an umbrella for shade, and possibly a chair if you have problems standing. It will be hot.