Mr. Bob Starnes

1930 - 2021

Bob J. Starnes, Osprey, FL, passed away Oct. 21, 2021. He was born Aug. 29, 1930, in Chester, S.C. to the late Samuel and Fannie Mae Starnes.
He attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. and graduated in 1952. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1952, graduated from U.S. Army Advanced Flight School and served in Korea for sixteen months during the Korean War. Upon release from active duty, Starnes became a pilot for Eastern Air Lines and for the next thirty years he flew the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as well as North and South America. While flying for Eastern, Starnes moved to Arcadia, where he was also a cattle rancher, citrus grower and real estate broker. He was active in civic, social and church activities. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, was a member of Sheriff's Auxiliary, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Saddle Club, Pop Warner Football coach, Chairman of the Advisory Committee to the School Board and Board of Directors of the First Federal Savings and Loan of Arcadia. He was also active as a private pilot, serving as Chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Airport, which secured the funds to build the paved, lighted runway and taxiway system for the present Arcadia Municipal Airport.
He married his wife Donna in 1971, and they resided in Arcadia with their children. They moved to the Sarasota area in 1983 and were residents of Osprey, FL and Murphy, N.C. He retired from Eastern Airlines in 1986, and enjoyed his family, boating, fishing and traveling. He attended Trinity United Methodist Church of Arcadia and Sarasota, FL and Sharp Memorial Methodist Church in Young Harris, GA.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jacqueline Casey Starnes; his wife of 49 years, Donna C. Starnes; his brother, Wallace F. Starnes of Columbia, S.C.; and his sister, Marguerite Mitchell of Arcadia, FL.
Survivors include his children, Mike (MaryAnne) of Starke, FL, Steve Starnes of Hilliard, FL, Caroline Fleurissaint of Belleair Bluffs, FL, Jack (Shelley) Starnes of Port St. Lucie, FL, Suzy Harrison of Indiantown, FL, Jenny Turner of Arcadia, FL, John (Debbie) Latimer of Lake Placid, FL, Lisa (Rick) Scott of Crawfordville, FL and Patricia (Justin) Boyd of Arcadia, FL. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Judy Starnes; niece, Terry Starnes; and nephew, Jimmy McClintock of South Carolina.
A visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the chapel of Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Homes, 50 N. Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at 3 p.m. at Joshua Creek Cemetery in Arcadia, FL with Rev. Louie Mabry of Trinity United Methodist Church officiating. The United States Army Honor Guard will be closing with Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to The American Cancer Society.
Online condolences can be made at www.pongerkaysgrady.com.
Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral & Cremation Services have been entrusted with the arrangement.