Don Starr

Robert Dion Starr, 85, of Atlanta, GA passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Presbyterian Village after a long illness. Born in Rome, Georgia he was the oldest of four brothers of Robert ArrLee Star and Thelma Forrest Starr.

Don attended Georgia Institute of Technology where he took an active part in campus life through Phi Kappa Sigma through which he met his beloved wife, Kathryn. After serving in the Marine reserves and completing several Georgia Tech co-ops, he graduated with his degree in Architecture.

Shortly after graduation in 1963, Don began a long and distinguished career with John Portman and Associates. Over his 49 years with the firm, he was involved with and then later served as project manager for many well-known hotels and developments. Projects early in his career included the Westin Peachtree Plaza, the Marriott Marquis and the Hyatt Regency among others in Atlanta and many elsewhere such as the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero Center. In his later years he was involved in numerous large projects internationally with many located throughout China. Don was a kind man who enjoyed serving as a mentor to younger members of the firm and spending time with his family.

Don is survived by his beloved wife, Kathryn Jacoby Starr, to whom he was married to for 61 years. Don is also survived by his daughter Leslie Starr Churchill and her husband Lee Churchill along with two grandsons, Jake and Andrew Churchill and his brother Wesley Forrest Starr; his nieces Summer and Cadance and his nephews, John, Zach, Ben and Josh.

He was the father to his late son Robert Forrest Star and brother to the late Stanley Richard Starr and Dennis Carey Star.

A graveside service for Don will be held Friday, October 6, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mt Vernon Hwy NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sandyspringschapel.com for the Starr family.