Charles Starkey

Charles Lynn Starkey was born January 30th, 1949 and passed February 11th, 2014. He was born to Velma Ree (Graves) and O. N. (Bill) Starkey in Panola County, Texas. Charles graduated from Tarkington High School. He joined the U.S. Army and after two years, he was honorably discharged when his father passed away in order to help his mother with his younger siblings.

He began working for Hughes right out of high school as an electrician for 40+ years. He married Judy Smith in 1972. They had two sons, Bryan and Brad. Following a long friendship, Charles married Donna (Sharp) Upton on Feb. 14, 1998.

Charles was Past Master of the Tarkington Prairie Masonic Lodge 495. He supported 4-H, FFA, and the Wounded Warrior Project. He attended Cypress Trails United Methodist Church. In his retirement years, he purchased land in Dublin, TX where he raised Charolais cattle.

Charles loved the outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish. He raised goats, pigs, horses, and cattle. He loved to drive - race cars, boats, tractors, and trucks. He loved driving to see relatives, to help out a friend, or to go to a Charolais cow sale.

Charles was loved by his co-workers who were like family to him. He was a beloved husband, dad, brother, uncle, cousin, grampy, grandpa and papa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, Robert Houston Starkey, older brother, James Newell Starkey, and older sister, Mary Jane Juarez.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Starkey; sons, Bryan Starkey, Brad Starkey and Russell Upton; daughter, Kimberley (Upton) Johnston; grandchildren, Austin Starkey, Gavin Starkey, Allyson Hemby, Haley Hemby, Kristie Schonfield, Sam Johnston, Julia Johnston, Kate Upton, and Emma Upton; siblings, Betty Hill and husband, Jimmy; Elizabeth Wakefield, Dorothy Vanek and husband, Joe; Cecil (Bo) Starkey and wife, Yolanda; sister-in-law, Frances Starkey; brother-in-law, Edward Juarez; other survivors, two beloved mothers-in-law, Marcelene Smith and Norma Sharp; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Many dearly loved extended family, co-workers, and friends.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 14, 2014, at Cross Community Church, 507 River Street, Cleveland, Texas 77327, with Rev. George Cathcart, Pastor of Cypress Trails United Methodist Church as officiate; assisted by Freddie McDowell, Lay minister and friend.

A graveside service was held 1:30 p.m., Saturday, February 15, 2014, at Bunyan Cemetery, Erath County, Texas. Rev. Ken Lunsford, of First United Methodist Church to officiate.

Memorial donations may be made to The Bunyan Cemetery Foundation, Box 316, Dublin, TX 76446; or Cypress Trails United Methodist Church, 22801 Aldine Westfield, Spring, TX 77373.