Jake Starr: American Patriot (1944–2009)
Jacob E. Starr of Peoria, AZ left us for paradise February 10 in his home by the water. He was the youngest of four born to Jessie and Ethel Starr in Conroe, Texas, 6/16/1944. The Starrs moved to the Buckeye area when he was an infant. Times were tough and from a young age he worked alongside his migrant working family traveling from Texas west and north to Washington State as crops were ripe and work could be had. His dad passed away when he was 8 years old. His courage, generosity, and rare determination took root and grew in the cotton fields, classrooms, and football fields of the West Valley.
He married Marilyn Ann Webb of Buckeye, July 24, 1964 and together they brought up three daughters who gave them 7 grandchildren.
He entered the US Army as a private and courageously served two tours in Vietnam, first as an infantryman, then as a helicopter pilot. After 25 years of distinguished service, he “retired” as a Lieutenant Colonel. With relentless determination and not enough capital, he and Marilyn built Glendale Aviation into a successful business.
He was a talented man who lived an adventurous life of: fighting wars, flying the skies, sailing by the stars, raising girls, surprising entrepreneurship, scuba diving… and loving others with courage, unflinching determination, and generosity known not only in the valley but the world even unto total strangers and testy pound dogs.
