Alfred Jack Starling

Funeral services will be held at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, at 12:30 pm. The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm at the residence on Friday, December 1st. A private burial will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Jack was born on April 22, 1924, in Columbus, GA to Alfred Jack Starling, Sr. and Clara Norris Starling. He grew up during the depression and told of times he and his family went without. He was always proud, however, of the dedication his hard-working and loving parents had towards their family.

Jack served his country proudly as a Flight Officer during WWII in the United States Army Air Corps where he was trained to fly gliders, single engine, and multi-engine aircraft. This sparked a lifelong love of flight.

Following a 23-year career as a District Manager for a finance company in Baton Rouge, Savannah, and finally settling in Columbia, he longed to be self-employed. In 1974, he started American Electronics, Inc., with his wife Lin as his bookkeeper, as a TV repair business that evolved into the first PC repair company in Columbia. He sold the business and retired at 72.

Though now retired, he didn’t slow down. Jack enjoyed piloting and maintaining his prized Piper Cherokee 140. He also loved sharing his passion for flight with others as an active member of Palmetto Sport Aviation (EAA Chapter 242) at Owens Field. Jack flew more than 300 flights for kids aged 8-17 as a part of the national Young Eagles free flight program, a record. Other retirement projects included constructing a kitchen trailer for his EAA chapter, building a remote-controlled lawnmower (using parts from a motorized wheelchair), and installing an HVAC system in his home. He also loved helping family, friends, and neighbors by fixing their computers, working on their cars, and repairing aircraft electronics for his flying buddies.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife of 62 years; Verlin Langford Starling and a brother; Horace Austin Starling. Survivors include his daughter; Susan Starling Kennedy, two grandchildren; Stephanie Kennedy O’Cain and Jason Talbert Kennedy, four great grandchildren; John William O’Cain, Jack Wyman O’Cain, Colin Talbert Kennedy, Sloan Taylor Kennedy, brother; Dr. Rudolph Starling and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trenholm Road UMC or Palmetto Sport Aviation Chapter (EAA Chapter 242).