Russell Wayne Starr, 67, of Hickory, passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born in Catawba County on August 1, 1950 and a 6th generation resident of Catawba County, he was the son of the late Glen Russell Starr and Lois Evelyn Covil Starr.
He met his wife and the love of his life when they were 14 and 18. They were engaged for 3 years and were married on April 1, 1972 when he returned from Vietnam where he volunteered to serve with the US Army. His awards include a bronze star while deployed with the 101st Airborne Division. He graduated from St. Stephens High School with the class of 1968. Wayne was a caring and selfless man, dedicated to his family and his faith in God. He loved his wife, sons, granddaughters, brothers, and all of his family dearly and they were devoted to and loved him.
He completed an outstanding career that spanned five decades in commercial and industrial masonry construction serving as a mason, foreman, estimator, project manager and vice president. He completed many notable projects such as the Catawba County Justice Center in Newton, the Heart Tower at Frye Regional Medical Center and the VA Hospital in Asheville. He worked at Glenn Sipe and Sons, Griffin Contractors and Gates Construction Companies. During his career he served as president of the NC Masonry Contractors Association from 2006-2008 and also served numerous years as president and other officer positions in the Western Chapter of that association. The Western Chapter also recognized his contributions by awarding him the Founders Award. His character, work ethic, and intelligence were reflected by the respect and friendship of his colleagues in the profession.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda Campbell Starr; sons, Anthony Starr and wife Elizabeth of Hickory, and Rusty Starr and fiancée Jasey Byrd of Hudson; granddaughters, Kate, Klaire and Sarah Starr of Hickory; brother, Barry Childers and wife Debra of Sanford, NC; mother-in-law, Janice Rogers of Hickory; aunt, Elizabeth Starr Ward and husband Henry; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 2, 2018 at Sandy Ridge Baptist Church in Hickory with Pastor Bill Sturm officiating. A graveside service with military honors by the U.S. Army and Hickory American Legion Post #544 will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hickory.
The family will receive friends from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. on Monday prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association, Sigmon Memorial Scholarship, 109 11th Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601 or the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060-9979
