Frank Troutman Starnes

Frank Troutman Starnes passed away May 11, 2017 in Longmont, Colorado. He was 92 years old. Frank was born September 22, 1924 on a farm in Stanley Valley, Tennessee. He was the youngest of four children born to Jackson Carl (J.C.) and Elizabeth (Troutman) Starnes. In 1938, the Starnes family moved to Sanger, California, where Frank attended junior high and high school. He completed one semester at College of the Sequoias before entering the Army Air Corps in 1943. After three years in the service, Frank returned to COS graduating in 1948. With the assistance of the G.I. Bill and a basketball scholarship, Frank continued his education at the University of Southern California earning a BS degree in 1950 and a MS in 1952. While at USC, Frank was to form a life-long friendship with fellow teammate, Bill Sharmon, and with The Wizard of Westwood, UCLA coach John Wooden. Frank began his career as teaching-coach in the Visalia (CA) School District later serving as Dean of Boys, Director of Child Welfare and Attendance, and high school principal. In 1962, he left Visalia to become principal of the new Gladstone High School in Covina, CA. In 1964, Frank joined what is now the Garden Grove Unified School District as Associate Superintendent and was serving as Deputy Superintendent when he retired in 1987 after 37-1/2 years in public education. While at GGUSD, Frank served for more than 20 years as a Commissioner on the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the accrediting commission for schools, colleges and universities in California.In 1982, Frank began teaching graduate classes in Leadership Studies at Azusa Pacific University, and in 1988 was assigned to Operation Impact, designed specifically to offer a Masters program to those serving in the mission fields of Asia, Africa, Central and South America and Europe. Frank retired from Operation Impact/APU in 2003, and moved to Longmont in 2006.Frank Starnes was all about people and relationships and helping others achieve their best. He cherished his family, his friends, and his church. Frank is survived by his wife of 32 years, Gerry (Des Palmes), and their blended family of six children, six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.Memorial service 2:00 PM Friday June 9, 2017 at Central Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Frank's memory to Central Longmont Presbyterian Church. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.