George Jacob Starns
August 24th, 1941 - November 8th, 2021
From:	Alton, MO
Visitation:
Funeral:	Cremation with private service at a later date.
Burial:
George “Jake” Starns, 80, of Alton passed away Monday, November 8, 2021, at Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains, Missouri. He was born August 24, 1941 to George F. Starns and Ena F. Stone in Columbus, Georgia. As a graduate of Baker High School in Columbus, he enlisted into the US Air Force from 1961-1969. In the Air Force, he was stationed all over the US and Germany and proudly served his country in Vietnam. After his time in the service, he moved on to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach Florida. In Florida, he met Linda Hamilton, who he married in Cocoa, Florida in September of 1973. Settling down in Vero Beach, Florida, they started a family. Daughter, Chanda, was born in 1975 and son, Eric, was born to the union in 1980. They eventually moved their family to North Carolina where Jake continued his career with airplanes, working his way up to Director of Maintenance at USAir Express in Charlotte, North Carolina. After many years at the airline, he moved on to various jobs and hobbies to keep him busy. He enjoyed inspecting private aircraft, restoring old cars, building his 1920s Rat Rod from scratch, car shows, building and racing both of his Pintos in the Mini Stock Class at Hickory Motor Speedway, but most of all loved spending time with his kids and grandkids. After multiple trips to Missouri, they decided to leave the city and move to Alton as their place to retire. He is survived by his wife, Linda Starns of the home. Daughter, Chanda Carswell and husband John of Alton, MO and son Eric Starns and wife Alexis of Painted Post, New York, sister Marion Buckles of Florence, AL, Seven grandchildren, Wesley Carswell (Cara) Reba H. Carswell-Drake (Tristen) and Robyn Carswell, all of Alton. Evelyn, Charlise, Joelle and Gabrielle Starns, of Painted Post, New York, and one great grandson, Maddox Carswell as well as a large extended family across the US. He was preceded in death by his parents, George F. Starns and Ena F. Stone, one sister Harriet Koger, and stepfather, Tom Stone. The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Jake by participating in random acts of kindness. Not just at the holidays, but all year round. Something he did so often.
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