Shelby J. Starr's Obituary
Shelby J. Starr, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed into eternal life on May 9, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Hines Starr; children, Kelly Glasscock (David Glasscock) and Stephen Starr; grandchildren, Krista Ziolkowski, Steve Starr (Casey Starr), Elizabeth Cone (Cullen Cone) and Isabel Killian (Justin Killian) and six great grandchildren and one due in the Fall. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Gertie Dyer Starr and Dee Claude Starr.
Shelby was born on November 28, 1936, in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Jeff Davis High School in 1954 then received his B.S. and B.A. in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University in 1958 and his M.S. in Engineering from Southern Methodist University in 1967.
In 1960, Shelby married the great love of his life, Bonnie Hines Starr, in the Rice University Chapel. They moved to Dallas in 1961 where he began his aeronautics engineering career at LTV until his retirement in 1990. After retirement, he embarked on a 25-year career in residential real estate selling homes in his Kessler Park neighborhood.
He was a long-time member at Kessler Park United Methodist Church where he served in many capacities from board positions, to coaching girls’ softball to playing in the handbell choir. He was President of the Oak Cliff Optimist Club, the Oak Cliff Republican Club, an active member in the Oak Cliff Lions Club and served in many other organizations. He loved volunteering: building playgrounds, coaching YMCA sports teams and driving Meals on Wheels. Running was his passion, and he rarely missed a Dallas Turkey Trot. In 2018, he was inducted into the Turkey Trot Hall of Fame – He loved that!
Shelby’s most cherished time was spent with his wife and family. He will be remembered for his devotion to and unconditional love of his family, his strong character and the kindness he showed others. He truly lived out a life of faith by example. Shelby was a true gentleman and ran his last race with Alzheimer’s disease with great courage and faith in God.
The Family is so grateful for the many special caregivers that lovingly cared for him in his final days. Shelby will be laid to rest in the Rice Cemetery in Rice, Texas on May 17, 2023, at a private family burial. A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held on May 20, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Kessler Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Keith Boone will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Shelby?
What’s a lesson you learned from Shelby?
Share a story where Shelby's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Shelby you’ll never forget.
How did Shelby make you smile?