(aka Starks and Old Dog)

John Gordon Starkey, 77, died Wednesday, August 1, in Portland, Oregon.

Born September 8, 1941 in East Liverpool, Ohio, to Louise Shane and Gordon E. Starkey, John graduated from East Liverpool High School in 1959, attended Ohio Wesleyan University and served in the US Army with a tour in Vietnam from 1964 to 1966. Back to East Liverpool and soon married Susan Beaty, the town’s most beautiful debutante. They had two sons, Shane and Scott.

John worked as a small-town bank president in a time when such men were held in honor of their knowledge and leadership within the community. He enjoyed learning about computers and consulted with other small Ohio banks until he retired in 1990. John loved to fish, eat, tell stories and embrace the beauty of nature at the Severn Lodge north of Toronto, Canada. He and his families visited there almost every year for over 70 years. John was a passionate photographer and his greatest joy came from looking for just the right perspective, be it a tiny flower or the landscape of Hocking Hills in southern Ohio. He enjoyed watching football (especially Ohio State), basketball (especially Duke) and a bit of golf. He lived his life within the saying, “No need to talk If you don’t have something worthwhile to say.”

He married Tanya Patrella in 1987 and helped raise her two daughters, Tiffany and Misti Patrella. He was their rock, their wooly mammoth, standing fast with broad shoulders, best bear hugs and loving protection.

He is preceded in death by his parents and beloved sister, Sarah Louise and her husband Larry Gilliland.

John is survived by:

Sarah & Larry’s children Elizabeth Gilliland Smith & her husband Steve and their children, Eric & Devin; and David Gilliland & his wife Heather and their children Matthew, Amanda & Evan; His son, Shane Starkey, his wife Erin and their children, James, Ben & Scarlett and his son Scott Starkey and his wife, Nicole; and, his wife, Tanya Patrella, and their two daughters, Misti & Tiffany and Tiffany’s daughter, Francesca.

There will be a private service preceding the cremation at Omega Funereal & Cremation Services @ http://omegaservices.com/

In the fall of 2019, with family and friends, we will celebrate John’s Life at Severn Lodge – https://severnlodge.com/.

Remembrances may be made in John’s name to either of the following organizations who helped us through the three difficult weeks prior to death and they did so with experience and compassion:

Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care @ https://www.seasons.org/

Sinai In-Home Care of Portland @ http://sinaicare.org/