Scotty Eugene Starnes

Scotty Eugene Starnes was born January 10, 1958, in Cabarrus County to the late Billy Eugene Starnes and Gladys Grass Starnes, and passed to eternal life on January 17, 2026, at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC. Scott was a devoted follower of Christ and an active member of Antioch Baptist Church in Richfield, NC. Scott graduated from A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis in 1976. He worked for Norfolk Southern Corporation for 38 years until his retirement in 2018.

Scott is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Gina Fesperman Starnes. He is also survived by his daughters, Savanna Murray (Buddy) of Southport, NC, Taylor Hamlet (Drew) of Gibsonville, NC, and Sarah Starnes of Greensboro, NC; his son, Joseph Starnes (Jasmyne) of Concord, NC; his grandchildren, Carter Hamlet, Lainey Murray, and Jaelyn Holland and Jordyn Starnes; his brothers, Greg Starnes (Leslie) of Southport, NC, and Todd Starnes of Kannapolis, NC.

Scott was an avid outdoorsman and had a passion for hunting, fishing, and traveling. Scott was awarded the Grand Master Waterfowl Hunter Trophy in recognition for successfully completing the North American Waterfowl Grand Slam in 2019. As an Eagle Scout, Scott embodied the values of leadership, service, and integrity throughout his life. He was committed to promoting wetland conservation and was a dedicated member of the Rowan County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. As the chapter's Sponsor Chairman, Scott helped plan the organization's annual banquet and fundraising event. He was also involved in Ducks Unlimited green-wing events, Adopt-a-Highway road cleanup, and building/maintaining wood duck boxes on High Rock Lake. In recent years, he took great pride in handcrafting duck decoys for his company Due North Decoys, and he donated numerous sets for the Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet live auctions.

He was a talented chef and grill master and loved sharing his gift of cooking with friends and family. Scott had many notable attributes and accomplishments in life, but there were none he cherished more than his roles as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Scott was a proud grandfather and was looking forward to the arrival of his newest granddaughter, Scottie Adelaide Hamlet. He was known for living his life to the fullest and never taking his blessings for granted. Though Scott Starnes will be deeply missed, his memory will live on in those he loved.

The family will receive friends at St. Peter's Lutheran Church from 1:00-2:00pm, Friday, January 23, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held following the visitation at St. Peter's Lutheran Church on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 2:00pm. The church is located at 2570 St. Peter's Church Road, Salisbury, NC 28146. The service will be officiated by Pastor Michael Lambert and Pastor Todd Roseman.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rowan County Ducks Unlimited or Antioch Baptist Church, Richfield, NC.

Checks can be mailed to:

Rowan County Ducks Unlimited

490 King Road

Salisbury, NC 28146

Antioch Baptist Church

16920 Stokes Ferry Road

Richfield, NC 28137

Powles Staton Funeral Home is assisting the Starnes Family. Online condolences may be made at www.powlesfuneralhome.com.