Page 23 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2022 - Online Magazine

EXCEPTIONAL SENIORS

Late on the evening of June 14,
1997, Darla and her husband
Charley were returning home
from a graduation party.
Charley’s son was waiting at the
house. Someone from El Cajon
Station had been trying to reach
the Dunns. When Darla heard
the words, “Stephen died today,”
slip from Dan Dunn’s lips, they
pierced her like a knife, and she
disintegrated into a heap on the Stephen's high school
quarterback towel and
kitchen floor. In a split second, Darla and Charley T-shirt quilt
her worst nightmare came true,
and this mother’s life changed want to be better.” “A friend you because Jesus lived in and through
forever. Somehow, she made it could always count on.” “Always him. “It was always Jesus that
to her bedroom, knelt beside her cheering me on.” “Unaffected people were attracted to. Stephen
bed, and thanked God for the 25 by people’s opinions.” “When spent so much time with Him that
years she had had with her son. he smiled, you could see God’s He just showed through.” People
“We had prayed together so many love shining through his eyes.” who know Darla recognize that
times, my first thought was to Willing to stand alone. Genuine passion to stay close to Jesus. Like
thank God for that.” concern for others. Enjoyed life to mother. Like son.
the fullest. Role model. Infectious
Stephen and his partner had been smile.
trying to round up some illegals Unselfish.
near the California/Mexico border Tenacious.
in rough terrain. Stephen had Dedicated.
fallen 150 feet into a ravine and Driven.
was killed instantly. His unit was Devoted.
devastated, but it was nothing Passionate.
compared to the heartbreak Respectful.
that reverberated through the Mature.
Lubbock Cooper/Trinity Church Courageous.
community when the news Resourceful.
spread. Nearly everyone who ever Determined.
met Stephen Starch had a story Kind. Fun.
to tell about how he had touched “The greatest
their lives. person I have
ever known.”
That was 25 years ago, but Darla “He made a
remembers it like it was yesterday. difference.”
She compiled a notebook full of
photos, memories, clippings, and Darla knows
letters. It is saturated with phrases her son was
describing Stephen’s exemplary extraordinary,
life. “He wasn’t afraid to stand but the thing
up for what is right.” “He stayed she wants
after practice to shoot baskets others to know
with me, so I’d get better.” “He about Stephen
wanted to be at the center of is that the
God’s will.” “He was not a quitter reason people
… at anything.” “He always took were so drawn
time to listen.” “He made me to him is

Lubbock Senior Link 23