Harry Thomas Starkey's Obituary
Harry Thomas Starkey, born at home on April 17, 1924 in Marquette Iowa, was the fourth child of Jim and Bessie Starkey. Norman, Clifford, and Dora (Anderson) were his older siblings while James, Robert, Dean and Jean (DeLong) were younger. To quote his cousin, "He lead a Huck Finn life on the banks of the Mississippi River." Dad attended school in Marquette and was the first in the family to earn a diploma. Immediately following graduation he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was eventually sent to India during WWII where he was a flight engineer making many round trips over "the Hump" to China. After his return from India he married Virginia Maude Moore and over the next nine years they had four children, Tamara Lou , Thomas Winslow, Teresa Lynn, and Judith Marie. The search for work lead him to Boeing in Whichita, Kansas and six years later he was transferred to the plant in Renton, Washington. He was a life-long learner taking correspondence courses and night classes to prepare for a job with Tacoma City Light as a meter repairman from which he retired in 1984. Dad loved the out of doors and spent weekends camping and exploring the beauty of Washington State with the family. From 1962-1970 Dad owned Cabin 88 at Salmon Beach. Prior to retiring he bought 10 acres of Christmas tree farm land where he built a log house and raised Christmas Trees for several years. Dad and Mom enjoyed traveling throughout the country with their campers and trailers. When they finished their travels they purchased a home in a little mining town, Bucoda, Washington, on the banks of the Skookumchuck River. His other hobbies included woodworking, fly tying, backpacking, fishing, hiking, and reading. Dad's last 2 1/2 years were spent in California where he was lovingly cared for by Teresa and her family, granddaughter, Amy and his Visiting Angel, Tony. Dad passed away on June 27. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, sister Dora, son Tom, daughter Judy and wife Virginia. He is lovingly remembered by daughters Tamara Smith (Dick) and Teresa Starkey-Owens (Roy), six grandchildren, Steven Thomas Treasure (Yolanda), Thomas Benton Smith (Kristy), Amy Virginia Treasure Shaw (Terry), Daralynn Smith Wright (Brett), Bradley Steven Starkey-Owens (Ashley) and Thomas Roy Starkey-Owens and 13 great-grandchildren Alison, Ethan, James, Tess, Baylee, Colby, Dalton, Ashley, Harrison, Connor, Finley, Tyler, and Chase. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Autism Speaks. A Memorial Service with Military Honors was held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California. A local service will be held at the Mountain View Funeral Home Valley Chapel at 11:00 am, Friday, July 5, 2013, followed by inurnment beside Virginia, Judy, and Tom.
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