Page 30 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2017- Online Magazine

James Starkey

Beloved Slaton Principal

This tribute is a compilation of
contributions by many people who love
and respect this amazing husband,
father, grandfather, principal, friend.

His wife Chlonez Woods Starkey writes:

“My husband James was born September 21, 1943 in Motley
County and grew up in Quitaque, Texas. He worked hard
academically and athletically. As a teen, he brought home were blessed with two wonderful daughter-in-laws: Jacqueline and
a state tennis trophy and helped the basketball team enjoy Jodi. In the years that followed, the most wonderful grandchildren
several winning seasons. After graduating in 1961 James came along. Averi and Kash, Ryne and Ryder. The Starkey family
went to Clarendon Jr. College on a basketball scholarship. was full and complete, and James (Dan Dan) was once again
Two years later he transferred to Texas Tech University and loving and holding babies.
earned a Bachelor of Education degree. We married in 1966. “But in 2009 this wonderful husband, father, father-in-law,
In 1970 and 1972 we were blessed with two wonderful sons, grandfather and friend of many was diagnosed with a serious
Steve and Tracy who have filled our lives and hearts with illness, West Nile Virus. It has changed our life in so many ways.
more love than you can imagine. James spent many days For many years James led his family, as one of the boys said, in a
doing anything they wanted to do - playing catch, coaching 'storybook life.' But for now we must take care of him and let him
games, watching ballgames on TV or just holding them and know that he is loved.”
watching them sleep. (Editor’s note: On the back of a picture taken in June 2016, Nez
“Later he went to West Texas State in Canyon and received wrote these words: “The love we have for each other is simply
his Masters Degree; at the same time he taught and coached flawless, and the commitment immaculate. All that matters is that
tennis at Plainview High School. Coach Starkey spent many we are happy. He makes me feel like the Queen of the World.”)
hours with students at practice and tennis tournaments. It
took up most evenings and weekends, but he truly loved the Dad
students he coached. He never looks for praises
“James became the Slaton He’s never one to boast
High School principal He just goes on quietly working
in 1985. For the next 16 For those he loves the most.
years he walked miles His dreams are seldom spoken
and miles up and down His wants are very few
the halls to make sure And most of the time his worries
everyone was learning in Will go unspoken too.
a safe environment. The He’s there…A firm foundation
teachers and students Through all our storms of life-
loved him dearly. He was A sturdy hand to hold to
always willing and ready In times of stress and strife;
to help a student. After A true friend we can turn to
his retirement, he filled in When times are good or bad,
as principal in New Deal, One of our greatest blessings,
Southland and St. Joseph’s The man that we call DAD.
Catholic School.
“In 1995 and 1999 we ~Tracy Starkey

30 Lubbock Senior Link