Frank Jerome Starr
March 3, 1919 - May 14, 2009
Obituary
Frank Jerome Starr of Sumner, passed away peacefully in Puyallup, WA on May 14, 2009 after a short bout of pneumonia.
Frank was born in Seattle on March 3, 1919 and was by all accounts a happy-go-lucky boy. As a young man, Frank worked as a barber until enlisting in the Army during World War II.
While in the Army, Frank was a member of the 82nd Airborne and fought in many of the major battles of World War II. Among the many military awards that he earned was the Purple Heart, which he earned as a paratrooper during a combat mission in Holland. When asked if he was fearful when he was engaged in conflict he simply stated, ‘No,’ but despite his bravery it is clear that his time in the Army was formative for him.
After being Honorably Discharged from the Army, Frank became a glazer and pursued this profession for nearly 50 years. His wife Minda recalls that Frank was eager to work with glass long after his official retirement from the profession.
Above all, Frank was a man of conviction who was a true Christian in word and in action. He loved the Lord, he loved traditional church hymns, and he was a prominent member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Tacoma for many decades. Minda recounts that Frank was so strong in his faith that he was never deterred from attending church services, neither by weather or by illness.
Frank lived for many years with Parkinson’s Disease, but throughout all of the pain he kept his humor, his faith was strong, and he rarely complained.
Frank is survived by his wife of 29 years Minda Starr, sons John Becky Starr of Spokane, Geoffrey Traci Starr of Auburn, sister Carol Hugh Gillenwater of Sequim, brother Sidney Mary Starr of Arizona, grandchildren Katie Pond, Alexis Starr, Ruth Mark Torres, Hannah Starr Daniel Williams, great-grandchildren Madeline Starr, Martin Williams, Geoffrey Williams, and Gwendaline Williams. Frank was predeceased by two brothers Horace Cecelia Starr and Lewis Virginia Starr, and one grandchild, Sarah Fifield.
A graveside service with full military honors is planned for Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 9:00 AM at Tahoma National Cemetery 18600 SE 240th St., Kent, WA.
A Memorial Service and Reception will follow the Graveside Service at 1:00 PM at Faith Presbyterian Church, 620 S. Shirley, Tacoma, WA – 253 752-7601.
Papa frank even we are far apart, we kept always the sweet memories we had shared those days ur here wtih us..
And to u mama Minda be strong to the LOrd Jesus christ in times like this..
CONDOLENCE…
Minda and family, I have cared for Frank during his time at the Washington Soldiers Home. He was such a special blessing to those of us caring for him. While we were under a flood watch for the Puyallup River in Orting, our families were hearing they must evacuate in Puyallup and Sumner. I went into Frank’s room and asked if his wife had made it in that day and indeed he had seen her, I asked if she was living in the valley and he replied that was where their home was. Rather than frighten him about the danger of the puyallup coming over its banks, I asked if he would like to pray with me about God’s plan for the river and keeping all people safe. He broke into the most gracious and thoughtful prayer of praise to the Lord, he never asked God for anything…he just pointed out our need for a savior and that we were not worthy to approach Him. This was very typical of Frank, in his hunble gracious manner he brought a great sense of peace to those of us in the room struggling to come to grips with a possible evacuation. His memory, his life and reading this obituary telling about his purple heart, are etched in our minds and hearts. Thank you for sharing Frank with us…we are better for having known him. Judy Ross,LPN