Sampson Alexander Starling II

Sampson Alexander Starling passed away March 30, 2023. Born November 3, 1945 to Samuel Foscue Starling and Dolly Bruce Pelletier Starling, Sam (also known as Sammy) was raised on the family farm in Hubert, NC. He was proud of his Onslow County roots.

Sam often told stories of retrieving eggs from the hen house as a young boy and of navigating around the squawking hens…not his favorite chore. He worked in tobacco on sweltering summer days and drove the mules pulling the flatbeds of tobacco from field to barn. Never one to obey all the rules, a trait that remained throughout his life, he also drove the family truck on nearby dirt roads many years before he was legal. He would drive his small boat in the waters at Great Neck Landing and was a champion water skier, even in his bare feet.

Before attending Jacksonville High School, Sammy met Mary Hargett Ellis at a thirteenth birthday dance for a mutual friend. They became lifelong sweethearts, bonded and devoted. They were married on November 30, 1968, six months after their graduation from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where Sam was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. The friendships forged during his years in Chapel Hill remained a cherished bond.

Sam and Mary began married life in New York City while Sam earned his MBA from Columbia University. His first job, with Texfi Industries, landed them in Dallas, Texas for a year followed by seven years in Sanford, NC, where their two daughters were born. After Texfi, he continued working for many years in the textile world both in NYC and North Carolina, including building and owning a textile company with two partners. After settling in Raleigh with his family in 1978, Sam began a nearly forty-year career with the Golden Corral Corporation securing financing for franchisees and for the Golden Corral real estate. Sam really enjoyed making a “deal” work for all sides involved. Through his guidance and expertise, many franchisees were able to own their own businesses. Never one to be idle, Sam also managed his own real estate interests for over thirty years and continued to do so after retirement from Golden Corral.

Sam was a multi-faceted man. Known for his strong will and determination, he also had a truly gentle spirit. His creative mind kept him in motion, always doing and thinking…so much so that a friend dubbed him “JB”…short for jitterbug. He was never without a project or two. He planted potted gardens of color and splendor, built and maintained a fishpond on his patio, and created a backyard oasis for his daughter’s wedding reception. Some of his happiest days were spent at Wrightsville Beach teaching his daughters and their friends to ski, boating with family and friends, especially with his brother Jere and family, fishing with his grandsons, developing real estate, and spending quiet time with Mary. Sam loved chocolate milkshakes, eating Snoopy hot dogs with his mother-in-law, listening to opera and classical music, dancing to old tunes, coaching soccer, cuddling with family dogs, watching Carolina basketball, and talking politics. He was a voracious reader, piling books on every surface. Over the years, he even studied and received his pilot’s license and his real estate license just because it was fun.

Sam will be remembered by his family as a man of quiet faith, unconditional love, integrity, and sweetness. His generous nature enabled him to find much joy in mentoring young people and becoming a father figure to many. He had a gift for taking care of and protecting those he loved and even those he met and befriended along the way. He walked through life’s ups and downs while remaining steady, strong, resilient, and true to himself, always believing better days were yet to come.

In addition to his wife Mary, Sam is survived by his two daughters, Zoe Elizabeth Starling and Anna Starling Schweigman; his beloved grandsons, Samuel and Emmett; his brother, Jeremiah (John Adams); his brothers-in-law, Earl McIlwean and Charles Ellis (Laura), his sister-in-law, Libby Oxenfeld (Bob), and many wonderful cousins and adored nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Sam was predeceased by his son-in-law David Schweigman, his sister Jeanette McIlwean, and his nephew Jere Francis McIlwean.

A service will be held for Sam on Friday, April 14, at 1:00 pm at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, 715 Nazareth Street, Raleigh. The family will have a private burial service in Hubert at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, 450 West Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 or to a charity of your choice.

The family wishes to express our deep gratitude to Dr. Robert Smithson for his care, his kindness, and his compassion.

Service arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.