Obituary of Gordon Harp Starr

Gordon Harp Starr, of Columbia, South Carolina died Monday, February 25, 2013. Mr. Starr was born December 31, 1920 in Bolingbroke, Georgia, the son of the late James Pierce and Bennie Lee Starr. Mr. Starr grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and attended Emory University. He served as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot in World War II, attaining the rank of Captain. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Asiatic Pacific Medal with 1 Battle Star. He later worked as an engineer for WHAS TV and Radio Station in Louisville, KY, and retired after thirty-two years. He was a Kentucky Colonel and an active member of the Kosair Shrine Temple, The Scottish Rite and the American Legion. He was a dedicated hospital volunteer at Louisville's Baptist East Hospital. He was an avid Kentucky Wildcats fan. Mr. Starr and his late wife, Mary Helen, moved to Columbia to be near their family and they became members of Shandon Baptist Church. He enjoyed golf and was a member of the Woodlands Country Club. Mr. Starr was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Mary Helen Starr, and her daughter Nancy Owens, and brothers Bill and Raymond Starr. Surviving are his stepson, Daniel White (Rebecca); his stepson-in-law James Owens; grandchildren, James Owens, Jr. (Irene), Melissa Butler (Charl), Mindy Cassell (Eric), and Brendan and Maren White; six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at Greenlawn Funeral Home from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013 with graveside services to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the building fund at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, SC in Gordon Starr's memory.