Obituary of David Starnes

David Starnes, Sr. passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at the age of 91. He was a resident of Tall Oaks Assisted Living in Reston, Virginia since April and formerly lived for many years in Annandale, Falls Church and Arlington. He is survived by his devoted wife of 72 years, Jacqueline W. Starnes and his loving daughters, Toni L. Rose (Robert) of Richmond Hill, Georgia and Elizabeth A. Gill (Paul) of Chantilly, Virginia. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren. He was preceded in death in 2007 by his son, David Starnes, Jr. David Starnes was born in Savannah, Georgia in 1923 and attended public school in Atlanta and Hapeville. He enlisted in the Georgia National Guard at the outbreak of World War II in 1939 at the age of 16 and served in the 122nd Infantry Regiment and the 179th Field Artillery Battalion until 1941 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served our country throughout World War II as a radio operator in a PBY squadron and was honorably discharged in 1946. He was recalled to active service with the Navy in 1949 and served an additional year during the Korean War. After leaving military service, he worked as a postal clerk in Jacksonville and Miami, Florida then later joined the U.S. Border Patrol where he served as an agent in El Paso, Texas, and Nogales, Arizona. He went on to serve in the U.S. Customs Service at various posts in Washington State, Canada and Customs Service Headquarters in Washington, DC before retiring in 1978. After his retirement, he enjoyed many hobbies and interests including writing music and poetry, painting and drawing, woodworking, genealogical research, and travel. He remained engaged and inquisitive until the end of his life and enjoyed visits with his family, conversing about current events and politics and watching his favorite sports teams on television. David Starnes, Sr. was not a famous or wealthy man but he was one of the finest examples of the "Greatest Generation." He grew up during the Great Depression and went off to defend his country while still a teenager, not for fame or glory but because it was the right thing to do. Like millions of others, he returned home after the wars, got an education and helped to rebuild this country while also making a better life for his family. He knew the meaning of hard work and sacrifice and was humble, frugal, and honorable. He was also kind and generous with a wonderful sense of humor and was admired, respected and loved by all who knew him. With a nod to Jimmy Buffett, who was one of his favorite songwriters: "Some of it's magic, some of it's tragic but I had a good life all the way"