Chester Earl Starkey

Born in Akron, Ohio June 16, 1912. Died September 16, 2010. Predeceased by his wife of sixty years, Virginia Lee Starkey. Survived by daughters Virginia Lee Self, Martha Jean Martin, and Sarah Jane Werner. Sons-in-law Eugene Self, Rabon (Ray) Martin and Christopher Werner. Grandchildren Lisa Martin, Jeffrey Self, Jacquelyn Self Laari, Stuart and Kristiana Martin, Sarah Paige and Mary Christine Werner.

He was a charter member of Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church serving as a Sunday school teacher, superintendent, church administrator, Elder, and Trustee. Educated by John Marshall High School and the College of William and Mary. Served in the Army and Air Force during WWII. He spent 32 years in the natural gas industry. He was the third employee of Commonwealth Natural Gas Corp. which brought natural gas into central and tidewater Virginia in 1950. In 1970 he left that company as Vice-President/Comptroller to become President of Commonwealth Gas Distribution Co., a subsidiary from which he retired in 1977. For the next 13 years lobbied on behalf of the gas companies and others at the General Assembly of Virginia.

He served on boards of Children's Hospital (trustee and Foundation board), the Virginia Foundation and Independent College Board, Central Virginia ETV, Petersburg Kiwanis Club, Southeastern Gas Association, Presbyterian School of Christian Education, and others.

He served as president of the Richmond Kiwanis Club, Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, United Way of Southside Virginia, Richmond Chapter of the William and Mary Alumni Association, and the Virginia Chapter of the Financial Executives Institute.

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He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Country Club of Virginia, 55 Golf and Pilgrims Golf Groups. A past member of Petersburg Country Club and the Princess Anne Country Club.

Memorial service will be held at Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church at 7000 Park

Avenue 10/2/2010. Memorial gifts may be sent to Tuckahoe Presbyterian

Church or to a charity of choice.