1933
2017
IN LOVING MEMORY
LEROY (ROY) G. STARR SR.
FEBRUARY 19, 1933 – JUNE 6, 2017
Leroy (Roy) Starr Sr. passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side at the age of 84.
Leroy was born February 1933 in Greenfield, Iowa to George W. Starr and Catherine (Karhoff) Starr. The family moved to a farm by Sheldon, Mo. when Leroy was at a young age. Leroy graduated from Sheldon High School in 1952. In 1956, Leroy married Dixie Brooks. Together they had one son, Matt, who was born while Leroy was in Korea. He served in the US Army for 2 years and served in the reserves for 3 years.
May 1959, Leroy married Mildred (Millie) Littlejohn in Miami, Oklahoma. On the way back from Oklahoma, Leroy told Millie someday he could tell Matt he got him another Mommie for his 2nd birthday!
After living in Kansas City and Belton for a few years, the Starr’s moved to Pleasant Valley in 1966, where they enjoyed their life and all their friends. Due to Leroy’s health, in 1998 they moved into a handicap accessible apartment in Claycomo. In 2008, Leroy moved to Pleasant Valley Manor Care Center.
After discharge, Leroy was employed by Pitman Manufacturing where he learned the welding trade, which was taught by his older brother, Johnny.
In 1966 he went to work for Standard Steel. After getting trapped in a tanker while welding, he went to work for Paccar (Dart); in 1969 he was transferred to Kenworth. He then retired in 1983 as a fabrication supervisor because of his disability. Leroy had his own portable welding business (Starr Welding) in Pleasant Valley from 1970 until his retirement.
One year Kenworth had a large lay-off. Leroy started making decorative wrought iron, wall sconces, tables, chairs and any little do-dads that people wanted made. He even opened a small shop where Millie would sell them; it got the family through the lay-off.
Leroy joined the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department in 1967 and retired as a Captain. He was also a member of the Liberty Mason Lodge.
Leroy loved hunting and fishing. Every year he and several others would go to Montana to go deer hunting, which were all from Pleasant Valley except a farmer from Birmingham. They would call themselves “Five gentlemen and a farmer”. One year they saw a deer on a far off mountain. The guys dared him to shoot it, he replied “I’ll shoot it if you go get it”. Needless to say, they had to go get the deer, that’s how he got the name “dead eye”.
After his boys were older, he would take them up north to his friends land to deer hunt. Leroy also let the boys friends tag along. The boys hunted deer by day, girls by night.
He and his fishing buddies spent many weekends at the lake, then in the Fall we would have a large fish fry.
He is preceded in death by his parents-George and Catherine Starr, Brothers-John Starr, Steve Starr, Larry Starr, Sisters- Mary Kay Lowry, Helen Ann Karr, Daughter-In-Law Ellen Starr and Granddaughter Danyel Starr.
Survivors include Leroy’s wife Millie (of 58 years) of Pleasant Valley, MO, Sister- Joan (Jack) Otterman of Kansas City, MO. Sons- Matt (Terry) Starr of Lee’s Summit, MO., Marty Starr of Plattsburg, MO, Lee Starr of Kansas City, MO. and Loren (Shelley) Starr of Kansas City, MO. Daughters-Malissa (Travis) Hall of Oak Grove, MO., Leslie (John) Henderson of Liberty, MO., Special nieces and nephew- Lori Starr of Excelsior Springs, MO, Steve (Mary Beth) Starr of Kearney, MO., Pam (Steve) Inman of Carthage, NC. along with 13 Grandchildren, 19 Great grandchildren, 5 great nephews and 1 great niece, and Brother-In-Law P.W. Lowry of CA.
To celebrate Leroy’s love of the Kansas City Royals, please feel free to wear Royals shirts, hats and gear to his services.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Prader-Willi Syndrome, PO Box 79, Corder, MO 64012. Crossroads Hospice Gladstone, MO.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by White Chapel Funeral Home.
June 9, 2017
Lea .
I remember Roy watching the birds out the back window of his house or sitting out front watching the neighborhood kids. Take Care on your next journey Roy.
June 9, 2017
Aysha Edwards
Thinking of the whole Starr clan. Fly high, Roy. You have touched so many lives! Love to you all, on behalf of the entire Kampman family.
June 8, 2017
Baylee Covey
Loved caring for Mr Starr. He was a beautiful soul and it was a pleasure to get to know him. Truly treated us like family. Love and prayers to his family and friends❤
June 8, 2017
Misty Ratterree
I love you grandpa. I will think of you always ❤ I know you will be watching over us all.
June 8, 2017
kelley bagley
I had the pleasure of caring for Leroy, he always had a smile for me. I am blessed to have met him and his whole family. My love and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time.
June 8, 2017
Frankie Reed
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
June 8, 2017
Harry D Bryson
to all the starr's so sorry for your loss he will be missed
my thought's are with you
Harry D Bryson
June 8, 2017
Matt,
I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mindy Beachner
June 7, 2017
Roy Evans
My favorite Uncle Roy story is when we were all helping Grandpoppie & Grandmommie build their place at the lake. Uncle Roy & I were walking the roads down there squirrel hunting. Him with a shotgun & me with a BB gun. He had to answer the "call of nature" & walked into the woods a ways & squatted down to business. I was watching the tree tops for tree rats. I heard him rustling around & thought he was done. I turned around & saw him grab a handful of leaves to finish the job. I saw it was a handful of POISON IVY. Well, I just figured that growing up on a farm & having been hunting all his life he knew what poison ivy looked like & maybe was immune to it. Boy was I wrong, he had a real bad case of poison ivy...in the worst possible place!!!
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more