Anthony Starks

Anthony Charles Dunham Starks, Sr. of San Diego, California passed away May 22, 2025 at the age of 80. He was born on June 18, 1944 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He was the second of five children born to George Earl Bruce Starks and Elizabeth Ellen Smallwood. As the story is told, the family moved back and forth across the USA most of the elementary and high school years ending up in Winterport, Maine. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine in 1968. He married Gracelyn Morse in 1969 with whom he had two sons, Anthony Charles Dunham Starks, Jr. and John Leland Starks. After making a home in Cedar Lake, Indiana for a decade they moved to San Diego, California. That marriage ended in the early 1980’s.

In October of 1987 he married Barbara Ann Tester. They enjoyed years of travel and helped raise stepdaughter Jennifer. They divorced in May 1999.

In 2004 he married Karen R. Cook and remained married to her until his death. They enjoyed their careers, travel, playing pool and their blended family with him becoming a wonderful and supportive stepfather to Laura L. Barnes and Alyssa B. Cook. He later, along with Karen, adopted Alyssa’s son Patrick B. Cook-Starks.

Tony was the pillar of the family to which his siblings, children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, colleagues, and friends looked to for advice and counsel. He was a mentor to many. Well respected he was often referred to as the “Godfather”. He also shared a similar name with a superhero and was called “Iron Man” with affection.

After his family, Tony said his proudest moments were his educational achievements. He received his Juris Doctor in 1979 from Western State University College of Law (which changed its name to Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 1995). He passed the Bar and started private practice as an Attorney at Law. He started with what he called “Toaster Law”, whatever popped up, but found he was more suited to Family Law and later passed the bar of Specialization for Family Law. He also became a Licensed Real Estate Broker in California. In 2003 he received his Masters of Liberal Arts and Sciences from San Diego State University. In 2000-01 he put his practice on hold to go into the Peace Corp serving in Panama. He retired in 2019, however, retained his active license for the rest of his life.

His interests and hobbies were walking, riding his bike, playing pool, reading, collecting first edition books, studying Spanish, watching movies, listening to music from the 50’s & 60’s, drinking gin, eating burritos and going on road trips in the USA with Karen and Patrick. Dreams and ambitions were to go to Africa on safari, be a detective and be a college instructor. His favorite color was orange and number was 8. Tony was a Gemini and often spoke with his “twin” to the entertainment of observers. His sarcastic humor often came with facial expressions, including his wiggily eyebrows, that endeared him to us all.

Tony is survived by his wife Karen Cook-Starks, sons Anthony Starks, Jr., and Patrick Cook-Starks, stepdaughter Laura Barnes (Ronald), daughter-in-law Chika Starks, grandchildren Maya Starks, Cal Boggan, Anthony Starks III, and Lily Starks, brother George Starks (Jane), nephews Jason Starks (Shayneh), Christopher Brummell and Evan Gall, nieces Lisa Roberts, Kelly Terrill (David), Christyn Carriker Joyce (Brian), Megan Starks, Mary Starks, Kimmie Gall and Elizabeth Brummell, sister-in-laws Kim Overgaauw (Marlo) and Kari Thomas as well as numerous great nephews and nieces and family significant others.

Tony was preceded in death by his father George Starks, mother Elizabeth Starks, son John Starks, stepdaughter Alyssa Cook, brother Christopher Starks, sisters Elizabeth “Weebie” Brummell and Helen “Nellie” Gall, nephews Michael Starks and George Starks, Jr., as well as numerous friends and both ex-spouses.

Interment will be at El Camino Memorial Park in a private ceremony. A Celebration of Life is being held on Saturday, August 30, 2025. If you would like to attend please contact Karen Cook-Starks at [email protected] for details.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating in his name to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, San Diego Returning Peace Corp Volunteers or Rady Children’s Hospital Chapman Center.