John Thomas Starke

John Jon Thomas Starke, Sr. passed away at his home in Vancouver, WA on Monday, December 18, 2017 after his long battle with cancer. He was with his family at the time of his passing. He was 66 years old. Jon is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara Starke of Vancouver, WA; his children, Jon Starke Jr. of Boise, ID, Stephanie Starke of Camas, WA and Christopher Starke of Vancouver, WA; grandchildren, Nathan Starke, Jonathon Starke, Cameron Starke and Jade Baker; great-granddaughter, Ava Starke; siblings, William Starke Jr. of Irrigon, OR and David Starke of Kennewick, WA. Jon is preceded in death by his parents Mildred Starke and William Starke Sr.; brothers, Robert Rusty Starke, Richard Starke and James Starke. Jon was born on November 4, 1951 in Lakeview, Oregon and grew up in several Pacific Northwest towns. Jon attended Riverside High School in Boardman, Oregon where he served as an officer in FFA, and lettered in Track and Football. Jon was voted the Most Inspirational Player, and named District All-Star in Football in 1971, the year he graduated. Jon met Barbara Morinaga when she moved to Boardman and they married in 1971. They raised three children while residing in Boardman, OR, Boise, ID and Vancouver, WA. Jon also began his service in the US Navy in 1971. He was deployed to Vietnam on the destroyer USS John R. Craig as a radioman. After a period of time with family businesses (farming, pumps, excavation), Jon began his career as a steamfitter/pipefitter. He was a member of UA Local 290 since 1988 and spent most of his career employed at Harder Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Jon loved the outdoors as was evident in his many hobbies. In his younger years, Jon was a water skier and a snow skier. Jon also enjoyed dirt bikes, boating, camping, gold mining, and most of all, fishing. The most common memory people share about Jon is, He taught me how to... He was a caring and loving husband, an active and dedicated father, a role-model, teacher and mentor, and a good friend. Friends and family are welcome to attend a short ceremony for the interment of ashes on Saturday, January 13, at 13:00. The nicheside service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 N.E. 112th Avenue, Vancouver, WA US 98684. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jons life at a gathering immediately following the service. The Celebration of Life will be held at Stephanie and Casey ODells residence, 26703 SE 5th Street, Camas, WA 98607. Condolences can be sent to http://www.evergreenmemorialgardens.com/obituary/John-Thomas-Starke/Vancouver-Washington/1770459 or on Facebook.

John Thomas Starke

November 4, 1951 - December 18, 2017