Warren Earl Starkey's Obituary
Warren Earl Starkey, beloved husband and father, was born on November 16, 1922 in Bartlett, Nebraska to Eliza Catherine and Clarence Elmer Starkey. He passed away peacefully on April 18, 2017 in Federal Way, Washington, at the age of ninety-four. Warren was a devoted husband to his wife, June, who preceded him in death a year ago. Their marriage was truly one of devotion to each other. Warren was a loving and involved father to his three daughters, Lee Hunt (Charles), Ann Vanderwall (Bruce), and Janet Bender (William), as well as a devoted grandfather to Andrew (Angela), Cameron, Hayley (Danny), Christian, Patrick, Blair and Lauren.
Warren grew up on a ranch in rural Nebraska with six brothers, Harold, Dean, Harry, Carl, Paul and Keith, all of whom preceded him in death. He left home at fourteen to attend the county high school, earning his keep staying and working at another ranch, and riding a horse to school. After high school, Warren joined the Civilian Conservation Corp, a job he particularly enjoyed. When World War II broke out, Warren joined the Navy, where he was the Gun Captain on the U.S.S. Loesser, a destroyer escort ship, stationed in the South Pacific. He fought in the battle of Iwo Jima, the Liberation of the Philippines, and in the Asiatic theater. Warren received four medals for those campaigns. After his discharge from the Navy, he moved to Tacoma, Washington, where he met and married June on June 7, 1952. The family moved to Seattle in 1959 where Warren became chief mortgage credit examiner at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). He retired from HUD in 1982. Warren was an active member of his church community at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. He loved to garden and volunteered his time as a Master Gardener. His vegetable garden and pea patch brought him immense joy. The landscaped grounds at his home were stunning. Warren loved sports, having played baseball in high school, and he actively followed the Seattle sports teams. After retirement, he enjoyed playing golf. He always credited his longevity to his daily routine of extensive walks. Warren leaves behind a legacy of honor, kindness, humor and grace in the hearts of his family and everyone who met him.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Warren’s memory may be made to the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund (19030 8th Ave S SeaTac, WA 98148). A private family celebration of Warren’s life will be held at the Tahoma National Cemetery, where he will be interred with military honors.
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