Grayson County TXGenWeb

David Howard Starnes
6 June 1961 - 21 May 1977

Whitewright Sun
Thursday, May 26, 1977
pg. 5

DESK EMPTY AT TOM BEAN HIGH
by Anita McMillan

School bells rang Monday at Tom Bean high school where students took their seats and teachers call the roll.
Amid the freshman class stood an empty desk.
As one teacher commented, you knew when David was present without calling his name.
Life ended for David Howard Starnes Saturday, May 21, 1977, shortly after 9 p.m.
He died enroute to Wilson N. Jones Hospital in Sherman from injuries received in a two car collision 2 miles west of Tom Bean on state highway 11.
The family moved here when David was eight months of age.
As I walked into the school building a group of young men stood quietly with heads bowed.
Several groups stood inside and girls wore tear stained faces as they comforted the other.
As Mrs. Jack Hollensed spoke of David, she recalled how he fearlessly played football and was a potential star.
Another, his fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Lottie Vincent, also had high respects of him as he was honest and she recalls a time David rushed over to a smaller child, picked him up and comforted him after the little one fell on some gravel.
David often fished with his friend Bill Feagan and Bill's mother, Mrs. Dan Feagan.
The Feagans regarded David as family and Mr. Feagan said there were more serious thoughts and moments as he worked with the Feagans at the Sale Barn.
He was independent and believed in equal rights.
A neighbor, Mr. Hob Hardin, called to David early one morning as he rode his bike over across the street, where Mr. Hardin explained that David's shoes spent the night in his garage.
Nine year old David turned his head and answered, "Well, I hope they had a good rest as they sure needed it."
Several recalled his love for teasing, but he was never hurtful.
This boy with the impish grin and halo will be missed by family and friends as he made no enemies while he lived so short a time. He was loved by all.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church where he was a member.
The Rev. Harry Stanley conducted the services assisted by David's great-uncle, Dr. Paul Aiken, pastor of the First Baptist church in Snellville, Ga.
Burial was at Vittitoe Cemetery under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home of Sherman.
He was born in Sherman to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Lee Starnes on June 6, 1961.
Survivors are his parents; a brother, Stacy Starnes, Denison; sisters, Mrs. Diane Ashlock and Mrs. Rachel Yowell, both of Tom Bean.
Grandparents are Mrs. Lela Starnes of Tom Bean and Mr. E.N. Grant of Howe.
Pallbearers were Leonard Huntsman, Bill Feagan, Sam Burns, Mike Morris, Scott Hensley and James Yowell.