Donald Dale Starnes

1940 - 2021

Donald Dale "Don" Starnes
April 13, 2021
Arlington, Texas - Don Starnes, 80, loving husband, Daddy, and Papa, passed peacefully to be with the Lord on April 13, 2021.
Funeral Service: 12 p.m. Thursday, April 22, at First United Methodist Church, 313 N. Center St., Arlington. Masks are required. Interment: Moore Memorial Gardens, Arlington.
Born in Senath, Missouri to Etoil and Elmer Starnes, Don was raised with a wealth of love, discipline and work ethic in Augusta, Georgia. After graduation from Richmond Academy in 1958, Don joined the USMC and began six months active duty, followed by several years in the Reserves. While serving in the Marine Corps, he made the decision to attend college. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1964, a proud member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity.
Following his graduation and his marriage to Vicki Brown, Don went to work for J.B. Fuqua in Augusta. For the next 20 years, Don worked in many of the various subsidiaries of Fuqua Industries, Inc., based in Atlanta.
In 1970, Don moved his family to Arlington, Texas, where he was Sales Manager, then President, of Shoreline Boat Trailers. While remaining as President at Shoreline, he was also named President of Thunderbird Products Corporation, another Fuqua subsidiary that manufactured boats. At Thunderbird, he was charged with the responsibility of formulating and executing an operational and financial turnaround and finding a buyer for the company, a learning experience that would eventually become his passion.
In 1984, Don bought Shoreline from Fuqua Industries, Inc. and grew it to be the dominant player in the recreational marine trailer industry. After selling the business in the early 1990's, he began a career as a consultant in workouts and turnarounds. He loved negotiating with lenders in an effort to help his clients through difficult times.
Throughout his career, Don was active in many organizations and boards, including Arlington Bank of Commerce, Red Cross, and The Oakridge School, where he served as Chairman and Lifetime Board Member. He was a member of Young Presidents Organization and World Presidents Organization for over forty years, where he and Vicki made lifelong friends. Together, they traveled to many places around the world, exploring and learning through the YPO and WPO Universities. Don enjoyed many activities: fishing, snow skiing with his family on the beautiful slopes of Purgatory, Colorado, and duck hunting with his boys, his dogs, and his buddies. He loved taking friends to experience the beauty and traditions of The Masters Golf Tournament in his hometown Augusta, and through it all, he remained a loyal fan of the Georgia Bulldogs.
Don built his life on a foundation of integrity, compassion, loyalty, and hard work. He adored his children and modeled for them how to be a strong, kind person. They were confident of his love each and every day. Most of all, he loved his wife, Vicki. Married for 56 years, he was her rock, her soulmate and the best friend she could ever have. Together, Don and Vicki built a strongly bonded family, and they are grateful for his guidance as they navigate each day until they are all reunited in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Don is survived by his wife Vicki and four children: Kathy Schoen; Dale Starnes; Matt Starnes (Denise); and Susie Pauling (Rod). He was the proud Papa to nine grandchildren: Charlie, Sarah Kate, Will, Brinkley, Alexander, Abby, Katie, Wyatt and Andrew. His job here on earth was well done.