 WILLIAMSBURG – Letty Starry, 83, wife of General Donn A. Starry, U.S.Army (retired), died Jan. 4, 2008, of kidney failure, at their home in Williamsburg, Va., in the company of her husband of nearly 60 years and their children.She was born in Parco, Wyo., lived in Kansas City, Kan., for many years and graduated from the University of Kansas. She and Donn met 70 years ago at a neighborhood social and became high school sweethearts. They were married June 15, 1948, in Kansas City, Kan., and immediately set out on a 35-year Army career. She was the first lady of 3d Plt “C” Company, 63d Tk Bn, 1st Bn 32d Armor, the Armor Center at Fort Knox, the V Corps, U.S. Army Europe, the U.S. Army Training & Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, and the U.S. Readiness Command at MacDill AFB, Tampa, Fla. In all cases and places, she was an expert organizer, gracious hostess, caring friend, and had a passion for supporting young military families and community service. She sent Donn off to war three times and kept the home fires burning during countless other temporary absences. Through all this, she managed to get four children through grade school, high school, college and other assorted challenges of youth. After retiring from Army life, Letty enjoyed summers in Crested Butte, Colo., among the mountains she enjoyed so much as a child. She was a practicing artist, assisted Donn in establishing a church community in Northern Virginia, and continued in her community service efforts. She is survived by her husband, Gen. Donn A. Starry; their four children, Mike (Bonne), Paul (Emily), Melissa and Melanie (Kendall); brother, Paul Gibbs and wife, Charlene, of Leawood, Kan.; grandchildren, Erin, Kristen, David, Devon, Kyle, Andrew and Justin; and great-grandchildren, Aidan and Wesley. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the Chapel of the Centurion, Fort Monroe, for family and close friends. A memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a date to be announced. In honor of Letty’s service to soldiers and families, please make donations and remembrances in her name to the soldiers and families currently serving in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment- the regiment her husband commanded in Vietnam and led into Cambodia in 1970- in memory of Letty Starry. Donations can be sent to: The Blackhorse Scholarship Fund The Blackhorse Association P.O. Box 10423 Fort Irwin, CA 92310. |
