Gerald Starns

Gerald Starns, 71, of La Porte Texas, passed away in his home on September 7th, 2023. Gerald was born in Elsa, Texas on September 16th, 1951, to parents Oma Viola Gilley and Howell Byron Starns. He graduated from Ed Couch Elsa High School and volunteered to serve his country in the United States Navy from 1971 to 1975. He served alongside his brother Glenn “Duty” Starns on the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). He started and managed his own AC & Electrical business, Lenn Electric, in 1980 in Brenham, Texas. He worked hard at his business alongside his nephew Jack Hunter Bowen. Gerald was a Master Electrician and worked in the Electrical and AC fields for over 50 years, which is why his family so lovingly refers to him as “The Masta.” He spent precious time teaching his trade to his nephews Davy “Hoss” and Charles “Bird” Falls, whenever his help was needed. Gerald was a wonderful uncle, who was loved deeply by all his nieces and nephews.

Gerald married Margaret Lenn Boyd in 1976 and became an excellent father to their three daughters Miranda, Shauna & Sabrina. Gerald chose a life of sobriety on June 5th, 1987, which his daughters are eternally grateful for, and respectful of. He gained two more wonderful daughters, Samantha “The Man” & Stephanie “Rooskie” when he married Janet Sue Geldersma in 1995. Gerald and Janet “The Warden”, spent many years together dancing, traveling, going on family vacations to the river, and mostly trying to wrangle all five girls to bed at night, every other weekend. Gerald never made good on his promise to “wake y’all up at 4 o’clock in the morning when it’s time for me to go to work.”

Gerald had many interests, he especially enjoyed spending time with his loved ones. He loved his family and adored his grandchildren. Whenever Gerald got the chance to go fishing, he would, inviting anyone along willing to wake up early and don a pair of waders. He lived a life of service and would often finish a job to have the money to help someone else. He loved to eat; and was an avid nick-namer that really enjoyed “cuttin-up.” His girls have fond memories of him singing along to the radio in the car, acapella in the shower, or with loved ones around a fire. Gerald loved a great bargain; he once sent all five daughters with buckets to the curb to get ‘free water’ when one of the city pipes burst on Leneva Lane. When he was little, he was always wandering off by himself outside, running along the palm tree line near the house until his sister Mary Sue was sent out to find him and bring him home. Once found, Mary Sue would hide him from his mama to prevent him from getting a spanking.

Gerald made and maintained friends that are as close as family within his AA group. He was an active and dedicated member of the Church of Christ Deer Park. He enjoyed his work, and his coworkers, he kept deep relationships with many of them beyond retirement.

He was preceded in death by Howell Byron & Oma Viola Starns, James Starns, Lamar Starns, Alma Fay Armstrong, Joann Triplitt, Leroy Starns, Sylvia Peters & Wayne Starns.

He is survived by sister Mary Sue Bowen, brother Glenn (Christina) Starns, daughters Miranda (Kenneth) Martinson, Shauna (Gary) Johnson, Sabrina Starns, Samantha (Beau) Hutchings, and Stephanie (Kyle) DeVries; grandchildren Isabelia Fernandez, Shelby Martinson, Reagan Johnson, Madison Johnson, Chase Hutchings, Caden Hutchings, Chloe Hutchings, Jacob Hutchings, Jordan Chilton, Brendon Martinson, and Kenlie Martinson.

He was the best daddy ever. He was a great friend.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Wheelhouse in Deer Park.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 15, 2023 from 12:30PM to 1:00PM with a Celebration of Gerald's life beginning at 1:00PM at Grand View Funeral Home, 8501 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, Texas 77505. Immediately following, he will be laid to rest at Grand View Memorial Park/Bethany Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grandviewfunerals.com for the Starns family.