Mert Hawkins Starnes

Mert Hawkins Starnes, 83, beloved husband and father, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, July 9, 2008, after a long illness. Born on April 3, 1925 in Lubbock, Texas, his childhood there and in Gladewater was the source of many fond recollections. Although he lost his parents at an early age, Mert Jr. was raised and mentored by many loving extended family members, especially his aunt, Beulah Starnes, and grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Starnes. Mert attended Texas Tech University, graduated from the University of Texas Law School, and practiced law in Austin for over forty years. After serving in the Attorney General's Office in the early 1950s, he transferred to private practice, specializing in transportation law. His analytical and brief-writing skills were highly sought, and he especially prized his relationships with longstanding clients. Over the same period and later, his humorous writing and poetry captured many hearts. He was a generous person of strong values, broad interests and diverse friends. With quiet strength, he promoted the progressive civil society that supports justice and human welfare. He celebrated good food and drink, traveled extensively, and loved the home designed and constructed for him fifty years ago by his college friend, Langford Griffin. His rare story-telling talent drew details from many experiences and jokes catalogued in a prodigious memory. Mert's many dogs and cats enriched his life and those around him. Mert's life-long love of music began with playing the cornet in the junior high school band and progressed to a profound emotional appreciation of opera, classical music, and jazz. His transformative experience with opera during World War II occurred at a live performance of Madame Butterfly while serving in Italy. Through his extensive collection of music and sound equipment, he shared this passion with legions of friends over the years. Mert married Robin McKeever in 1981, and they were blessed in celebrating over 27 years together in love and friendship. Mert's proudest accomplishments were his two beautiful daughters, Susan and Kathryn. Mert is survived by his wife, Robin McKeever, daughter, Susan Starnes, of Dallas, and daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and Bruce Grube, of Statesboro, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Olivia Adair Starnes and Mert H. Starnes Sr., his sister, Sarah Starnes Waldrep, and his first wife, Barbara Justice Starnes. The family wishes to thank the many health professionals involved in Mert's care over the years, particularly Dr. William Lockett, Dr. Steve Settle, Dr. David Burger, Dr. Sam Key, and the staff of Hospice Austin. The family will hold an informal gathering at their home on Sunday, July 13, 2008 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, 8201 South Congress Ave., Austin, Texas 78745, Town Lake Animal Center, 1156 W. Cesar Chavez, Austin, Texas 78703, or to the Salvation Army, 501 E. 8th St., Austin, Texas 78701. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com