|
Established 1948    With great sadness we announce the passing of Odis Henry Starnes who departed this earth on September 1, 2020. Odis was born August 29, 1926 in Paris, Texas. He was brought in to this world in the back of a simple covered wagon, having forded the Red River while making its way from southern Oklahoma to the nearest hospital in Paris. His life story represents the opportunity and greatness available to anyone fortunate enough to be born in the U.S.A. He grew up the son of a sharecropper and was raised in rural southeastern Oklahoma near the banks of Blue River. His parents were divorced when Odis was 11 years old. At a young age he assumed the role of "man of the house" assisting his mother, Etta May Starnes, and 3 siblings in the duties of raising a family. He grew up hard and fast. Aside from attending school his chores included: picking cotton in the fields, baling hay, tending livestock, and planting and working a garden. The family endured great hardships and financial struggles during the Great Depression. However, what they lacked in material possessions was offset by strong faith, family love and fierce determination. Odis graduated from Durant High School in 1944. He enlisted in the United States Army. After basic training at Ft. Polk in Louisiana, he was placed on a carrier ship heading to the South Pacific theatre when WWII ended in 1945. Thunderbird Division and spent 2 years in Korea, 1950-1952. He left with the rank of Warrant Officer and with multiple commendations. June 14, 1949 was easily the happiest day of his life. On that day he married the love of his life, Evelyn Louise Waitman, thus beginning a joyous journey lasting 66 years until her passing in 2015. He loved Louise more than anyone on earth. It is wonderful to envision the two of them together again, dancing their way through eternity. After an honorable discharge from the Armed Services, Odis began working his way up the ladder as an employee of Johnson & Johnson in Dallas, Texas. He held many positions with J&J. In 1961 he was one of the first employees relocated to a new manufacturing facility located in Sherman, Texas. In 1985, after 34 years of service, he retired from a highly successful business career as Manager of Labor Relations. Any of his former co-workers at Johnson & Johnson would attest to the fact he was one of the most liked and respected managers at the Sherman plant. Odis was an avid hunter, golfer and gardener. He was a Master Mason, a member of Toast Masters International, Texoma Squares, Lions Club International, and a long time member of the First Baptist Church in Sherman, Texas. He loved to stay busy and had endless energy. He was constantly engaged in finishing never ending to-do lists and projects. After retirement he helped his wife manage their company Starnes Property Management for another 30 years until truly retiring once again. All who knew Odis will remember him for his gracious demeanor, wide smile and keen sense of purpose. He loved spending time with his family. He cherished the moments he spent doting on his grandchildren. He proudly achieved his life long goal of providing a stable and loving environment for his wife and 3 sons. His strong work ethic, moral compass and determination helped pave a less challenging path for his family and future generations success. "The song is ended but the melody lingers on." - - - Irving Berlin He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Starnes and Etta May Starnes-Johnson; his wife, Louise Waitman-Starnes, of Sherman, Texas; sister, Opal Weger of Denison, Texas; his brother, William Starnes of Durant, Oklahoma. He is survived by his sons, Larry Starnes of Sherman; Steve Starnes and wife, Kym, of Dallas; and Stan Starnes and wife, Jeannie, of Fairview, Texas; grandchildren, Kristyn Starnes-Woods and spouse Ashley Woods, of Keller, Texas; and Lindsey Raper of Las Colinas, Texas; and Jessica Starnes-Pulley and husband, Damion, of Keller, Texas; Sophia Starnes and Jackson Starnes, both of Fairview, Texas; great-grandchildren; Payton and Preston Pulley of Keller; Zaza Broadway of Las Colinas; Kollyns Woods of Keller; and sister, Wanda Heffington of Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Funeral service for Mr. Starnes was held Tuesday morning, September 8, 2020 at First Baptist Church in Sherman. Interment followed in Cedarlawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers were Ronald Starnes of Durant, Oklahoma; Damion Pulley of Keller, Texas; Gary Howell of McKinney, Texas; Byron Clark of Sherman; Jeff Wilkinson of Sherman; and Chris Dill of McKinney, Texas. Arrangements were under the direction of Fisher Funeral Home in Denison, Texas. Evelyn Louise Starnes went to be with her Lord on July 10, 2015 in Sherman, Texas. Louise was born in Durant, Oklahoma in 1931, daughter of Jim and Mattie Duckworth Waitman. Louise spent her childhood in Durant. She was an honor student and Baton Twirler for the Durant Drill Team; in 1948 she entered a pageant and was runner up for Miss Durant. She was married to the love of her life, Odis Starnes, in Durant in 1949. They celebrated 66 wonderful years of marriage together this June. Louise had the opportunity to hone her parenting skills throughout the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. She successfully raised and cared for a Sherman, Texas version of "My Three Sons." She became a licensed real estate agent in the 1970s and worked for many years listing and selling homes in the North Texas area. Her penchant for buying and leasing homes led to the formation of her own company, Starnes Property Management, Inc. which she successfully managed for 40 years. All who knew and loved Louise will miss her incredible kindness and wonderful sense of humor. Louise was an active volunteer in the Sherman area for many organizations including the Sherman Service League, among others. Socially, she loved to travel, play bridge and dance. Her desire to "see the world" led her to many places: from the islands of the Carribean to the Falkland Islands, from North America to South America, Asia to Africa, Eastern Europe to Western Europe. Each country, state or city had a brighter view of Americans after spending time with Louise. She was a member of many long standing Bridge Clubs and was virtually unbeatable in Gin Rummy. She danced to the sounds of the Big Band as well as Western Swing. She was a longstanding member of Texoma Squares. She will always be remembered as the world's greatest fan of the color "pink." Surviving family members are her husband; her sons, Larry Starnes of Sherman; Steve Starnes and fiance, Kymie Ward, of Denison; and Stan Starnes and wife, Jeannie Avard Starnes, of Fairview, Texas; her sisters, Esther Waitman Kincheloe of Durant, Oklahoma; Mattie Waitman Hawkins of Henderson, Nevada; Lucille Waitman Row of Pottsboro, Texas; grandchildren, Kristyn Starnes of Ft. Worth; Jessica Starnes Pulley of Ft. Worth; Sophia Starnes and Jackson Starnes of Fairview, Texas; great-grandchildren, Payton Pulley and Preston Pulley of Ft. Worth; "Death Leaves a Memory no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." Louise was preceded in death by her mother; brother, Calvin "Choc" Waitman; and her father.  Cedarlawn Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |