John Hurley Starnes passed away peacefully at home just after midnight on Good Friday, at the age of 84. He was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, neighbor and friend.

Born on August 12, 1939 to John Hurley Starnes, Sr. and Della Strawn Starnes, John attended Mineral Springs High School.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy the day after he turned 17 and served for 30 years, ultimately achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander, LDO. Upon retirement he immediately launched into another 20-year career; this time at NASA, where he worked in safety operations at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. He attained a grade of GS15.

John's passion was excellence.  Whether he was waxing his car, someone else's, or launching airplanes in dark, pitching seas off a carrier deck, he was committed to doing it to the best of his considerable ability.

A Houston neighbor once said that his yard looked best when he was away because John took care of it for him. More than once a coworker received a sticky note stating that their tire looked low or worn. John noticed these things if he parked next to you.

His commitment to getting things done right fueled many funny stories on the home front, which the family now treasures. One spring break, for example, John wanted his children to be productive. They had the opportunity to arrange his shirts by sleeve length and by color.

The love of John's life, even beyond the U.S. Navy, was the former Paula Gail Rutledge. The pair married in Dallas, Texas, in 1967 and raised three children together: Tammy, Randy and Todd. As a military family they lived a life of moves, adventures, and deployments.

As members of the broader church, work and extended communities, John and Paula were a generous team that -- as you might imagine -- ran a tight ship. It was no problem when combined Sunday School classes of 30 or more people needed to share a meal. They held it in John's garage, which was so clean you could eat off the floor. For comfort, they did set up tables and chairs.

If you visited John and Paula after they retired, there's a chance John washed your car for you; not just because he cared, but because he needed to ensure things were "seen about." His relentless love and concern for others was enjoyed by colleagues, close friends, and strangers he had just met at Walmart, which frankly drove Paula crazy. Most of all he cared about his family. He loved and was proud of us all.

John is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved brother-in-law, James Addison Thomas, several half-siblings and step-siblings and his dog Rowdy, who accompanied John any place he was allowed.

John is survived by his wife Paula, his sister, Libby, his children, Tammy (Rick), Randy (Kimberly), Todd (Angie), his grandchildren, Katy (Ryan), Addison, Nate, Ben, and Eli, his great-grandchildren, Ellis, Emmanuel, and Theodore Hurley, several nieces and nephews and so many others he loved, including his extended Thomas and Starnes family in North Carolina and Virginia, especially Jay (Shelly), Rachel (David) and their children, Grace, Lillian and Julia.

Dad, you made us better by your example and we are eternally grateful to you and for you.

The family extends profound gratitude to the people of Brightstar and the ARCY hospice team, who cared for John. You made his homegoing a better, more loving time for us all, and especially for him.  We couldn't have done it without you.

Visitation is scheduled for 10 a.m. with services at 11 on Thursday, April 11, at First Baptist Church in Lewisville, Texas, 1251 West Valley Ridge Blvd. All are welcome. Burial will follow at DFW National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to the First Baptist Church in Lewisville, the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer's Association.