Beloved husband, father and grandfather Galen E. Starkey passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Tyler, Texas at the age of 77. He was born August 7, 1946 in McMinnville, Tennessee to the late Erma Capshaw and Herman Starkey and was a resident of Tyler. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Peggy Starkey of Tyler; daughters and sons-in-law, Sheridan Lorraine and Jim Rovira of Merritt Island, Florida; Gala and Adam Brown of Searcy, Arkansas; son and daughter-in-law Scotty and Amanda Starkey of Lindale, Texas; nine grandchildren, Penn Rovira, Aurora Grace Rovira, Zoe Rovira, Samantha Brown, Jessica Brown Crawford, Sabrina Brown, Jarred Brown, Colleen Starkey Smith, and Alyssa Starkey; sister, Betty Martin of El Paso, Texas and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He attended the University of Texas at El Paso, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science before joining the army as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served for 22 years both domestically and overseas for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal group, retiring as a Lt. Col. in 1992 with many awards including a Bronze Star and Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge. After the army, he worked for Walmart for 14 years. He enjoyed model trains and old fashioned westerns.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 25th, 2024 at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00pm.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00am Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Church of Christ in Lindale with Bro. Kris Emerson officiating. Interment will follow at Tyler Memorial Park in Tyler.
The family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Red Cross in lieu of flowers.
