Obituary: Gary D. Starr
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Gary D. Starr, 79, of Girard passed away peacefully at his home on February 5, 2017.
He was born November 29, 1937 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Russell and Hazel (Dudley) Starr. He graduated from Lawton, OK high school after spending much of his youth in Ft. Scott. He graduated from Kansas State Teacher’s College after which he embarked on a long teaching career first in Chetopa then in Girard school districts. He taught for many years mathematics, drove the school bus and was the athletics scorekeeper until his retirement. He married Barbara Logan on May 5, 1961 in Pittsburg. She preceded him in death on November 19, 2006. He married Sharon Stewart on September 20, 2008. She survives at the home.
Gary was very proud of his 33 years of service in the 
Kansas National Guard and Army Reserves. He served his community as a volunteer fireman as well as a term as Girard city mayor.
He was a member of the George C. Brown Post No. 26, American Legion of Girard; the Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars of Parsons; the Girard Masonic Lodge No. 93 AF & AM of Girard. Teaching mathematics and physics was his passion (“never go ’round with your radical down”). He cherished the memories of his family, former students, fellow teachers and soldiers.
Gary was a member of the First Christian Church in Fort Scott.
Survivors include his wife Sharon, son Steve (Holli), grandchildren Kevin (Libby), Blake, Zachary, Tannis and Tatum. Stepson Shane Smith, stepdaughter Michelle Gates, and step grandchildren Nick (Tomi) Kirby, Kalibe, Raele, Coulter, and Basia Smith; a brother, Ray Bert Starr of Tomball, Texas; brothers-in-law Joe (Linda) Anderson of New Braunfels, Texas, Roy (Pat) McCoy of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Frank (Chan) Foote of Montrose, Colorado.
Gary was preceded in death by a sister, Rosemary; a step-son, James E. Gates, on March 4, 2014, and a step-grandson, Geramie W. Kirby, on April 26, 2003.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard. Masonic services will be conducted by the Girard Masonic Lodge # 93 A.F. & A.M. followed by military honors given by the Brown-Bishop Post 704, V.F.W. of Parsons. Private family burial will be at a later date in the Fort Scott National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home where friends may call after 2 p.m., Wednesday.
Memorials are suggested to the Gary Starr Scholarship Fund at Girard High School and these may be left at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.
Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com