John Daniel Starling
John Daniel Starling, 68, of Vass, passed Monday February 8, 2010 at First Health Moore regional Hospital in Pinehurst with his wife and daughter by his side.
A visitation will be held Tuesday February 9, 2010 from 6 to 8PM at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines. A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
Mr. Starling was born September 4, 1941 in Moore County to James and Alice Holder Starling. He graduated from Vass-Lakeview School in 1959. He then served three years in the US Army in Germany. Mr. Starling went on to earn his business degree from St. Andrews Presbyterian College. Starting in 1967 Mr. Starling was employed with Sprint Telecommunications Commercial and Marketing Departments where he later retired in 1993. He lived in Beaufort, SC and Bristol, TN.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Dorothy Grimm Starling, his daughter Ginny Hall and husband Michael of Durham. Mr. Starling’s mother, Alice Holder Starling of Vass and grandson, David Hall of Durham. He was preceded by his father James Starling.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in memory of John Starling to a charity of Choice.
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines
February 9th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Dottie, We were so aorry to hear of John’s passing. Doreene Tant called me last evening to tell me. She knew John was a favorite of mine at work. He and I shared a lot of “funny” moments as we worked together. One of the many blessings of life is that we are blessed with a treasure trove of memories in our lives so that although a wonderful person is missing, our memories live on. Please know you and your family are in our prayers as you deal with your loss.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I enjoyed working with John in Bristol. He was a kind, fair, intelligent, friendly person that was always fun to be around. I can fondly remember the days we spent working together and how John could make some difficult times easier with his presence.
Dorthy and Ginny and all those close to John are in my prayers.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
We offer our condolences to the Starling family. John represented his family through his kind, caring and friendly manner. We will all miss him.
February 9th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Dotty and family, we were so sorry to hear about John. We had hoped to come tonight, but because of the weather decided not to. You are all in our thoughts and prayers and our deepest sympathy is with you. John has always been very special as a classmate and a cousin. He will be missed very much.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Dotty, I’m saddened as I extend my deepest sympathies and prayers to you and your family on John’s passing. It was my priviledge to know him when we worked in Bristol and to share his humor and kindness. He will always remain a positive part of my life’s experience.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Dear Dottie, News of John’s passing came as a shock to us. I will never forget the great memories we shared working in Bristol. He was a kind, uplifting and gentle person and will be greatly missed. You and family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
February 10th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Dottie, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I have wonderful memories of evenings spent at your house in Bristol and John was a joy to work with at the phone company. We were all blessed by his presence in our lives.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Dotty and family,J D’s smiling face and great sense of humor will certainly
be missed.He had the ability to turn all bad, sad times to good. He was a wonderful gentleman. My families thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time of loss in your life.
February 13th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
A good man! Our prayers are with the family.
February 20th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Dottie, I’m in a state of shock, and am somewhat (very much) numb. I wrote Marty in early Jan., and amongst other topics, I asked how to reach John, as I had unsuccessfully searched for him on the web. Unknown to me, Marty had retired and never received the email. Last night I stumbled on Marty’s new email, and inquired as to John once again. He replied with the shocking news today.
John meant so very much to me; he was the initial mentor in my career- and a fine one he was! As a young buck straight of out college, he knew exactly how to coach my transition to a career. I wish I could have thanked him for that.
There’s so much I want to say, though I realize this is not the forum. Further downstream, I will write you a letter, sharing good memories. They’ve been rapids flowing through my head and heart since I learned the news. And the fact the dozens of them are all positive, has made today a little more tolerable.
One ironic aspect of our relationship was he was my first manager at United, and I might have been his last (indirectly) as I was charged with UTLD from the corporate perspective in KC. John prepared me well for the staging of my career with United/Sprint (ended in the mid-90′s).
Though maybe a little dark humor in this setting, I can’t help but crack a grin when recalling my visiting him in the hospital 30 years ago; and rather than taking flowers, I brought him a frog with a note, “I’m glad you didn’t croak.” I hope my mentioning this is not out of line, and it pushes the corners of your lips upward, as it did mine. I think John would get a chuckle from this memory now. He was that way- he could take the edge off of less than positive news/times/events ….
John was, and will always be, a great man and influence on my life. I regret I was not more diligent with my search for him the last few years. I loved him dearly, and owe him so much!
All my best to you, Gin, her family, and John’s mother…..
Dee and Terri Henderson
dee@henderson360.com