Obituary of John Starnes
Services for John M. Starnes, 85, of Cotton Center, TX, will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, January 20, 2018, in the Cotton Center First Baptist Church with Rev. Randy Land and Rev. Chris Collier officiating. Burial will follow in the Center Plains Cemetery, Cotton Center, TX, under the direction of Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop of Abernathy, TX.
Mr. Starnes died Wednesday, January 17, 2018, in Lubbock, TX.
He was born January 25, 1932 in Dallas, TX to Gill and Naomi (Dodd) Starnes. He moved to Cotton Center with his family at the age of 2 He graduated from Cotton Center High School in 1949 and Texas Tech University with an accounting degree in 1953. He later enlisted in the US Army in 1954. In 1960 he became a charter member of the Cotton Center Lions Club, and remained their secretary until his death. He was owner of Starnes Gin and began farming in 1972 when he went into partnership with the McFerrin's. He was a member of the Cotton Center First Baptist Church, where he was organist and taught Sunday School for the 4th, 5th and 6th grade boys in the 1950's and 60's. John purchased Texas Tech Mens Basketball tickets in 1956, and has maintained those tickets throughout the years. He was a member of the Texas Tech Red Raider Club and the Texas Ginner's Association.
John is survived by a sister, Laura Jo Wheeler and husband Ferrel, a nephew, Nathan Wheeler and wife Carol, all of Southland, TX, 3 nieces, Amanda Teachnor of Tulsa, OK, Jenny Dickerson and husband Nathan of Carrollton, TX, and Camille Wheeler of Austin, TX, 12 great nieces and nephews and several great great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 great nephews. John is also survived by his extended family and business partners, Joe McFerrin of Cotton Center, Shelley and Shane Berry and their children Sarah, Seth and Sterling all of Cotton Center, John David McFerrin of Dallas, TX, Jeremy and Becca McFerrin and their children, Jett, Brecklyn, Jacoby and Ella all of Lubbock, TX and Phyllis McFerrin of Lubbock, TX.
The family suggests memorials be sent to the Center Plains Cemetery, Box 295, Hale Center, TX 79041.
