Baynard Mercer Starr Jr.

Baynard Mercer Starr, Jr., “Dad", “Granddaddy”, or "Starr" as he was affectionately called, was born on November 3, 1936, to the union of Baynard Mercer Starr, Sr., and Almeda “Willie” Snead in Atlanta, Georgia. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on May 17th.

He received his formal education at Roosevelt High School in Atlanta, Georgia, and furthered his education at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. Baynard was a member of Mountain Chapel Methodist Church. Baynard was united in holy matrimony with Sandra Kay Hunter on August 5, 1966, in Atlanta, Georgia, and their union was blessed with three children.

Baynard and Sandra married on Friday, August 5th - they came to Birmingham, Alabama, on their honeymoon on Saturday and bought the home on Sunday. They have lived in the same home their entire marriage. Baynard proudly served his country in the United States Navy Reserves, and when they moved to Birmingham he was employed by Ford Motor Company. He left that job to open Metro Yamaha and later went on to work at Smith Bros. and Pelham Powersports. He enjoyed motorcycle riding (he was the oldest member of the Perry Mountain Motorcycle Club and, of course, traveling the world alongside his wife and travel partner, Sandra. Together, they took the family on many trips that will be cherished for years to come. Also, when he retired, he decided he wanted to take singing lessons, guitar lessons, and learn how to Zydeco dance.

Baynard was preceded in death by his parents, Baynard M. Starr, Sr., and Almeda Starr, and his granddaughter, Brandy Starr. He leaves to cherish his memory: Wife, Sandra Starr; children, Rip Starr (Janet), Rusty Starr (Cynthia), and Vicki Johnson (Johnny); grandchildren, Eric Starr (Priscilla), Christopher Starr (Kayla), Campbell Starr, Walker Starr, Kelsey Stroud (Logan), Shane Johnson (Ginger), Jason Johnson (Melissa), and Katy Johnson; great-grandchildren, Marley Starr, Preston Starr, Trenton Starr, Bianca Starr, Lena Starr, Emilia Starr, C.J. Stroud, Hunter Johnson (Kaitlin), and Haley Johnson; great-grandchildren, Natalie Ann, Bennett Johnson, and Sawyer Johnson; and a host of other friends and family that will miss him dearly.

His Celebration of Life will be held at Southern Heritage Funeral Home on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers or memorial contributions, please make a donation to Children’s Harbor, Georgia State University, or a charity of your choice.