Mr. Starnes was a wonderful role model and high school principal!  His tough-love attitude was most effective, and helped teach students the importance of respect and dignity.  He was a great blessing to me, while a student at BGHS.  Sincere condolences. . .  -Carolyn Marshall / Class of '78

Carla, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I know he must have been a great man because he raised an amazing daughter.  You've always been such a great friend to our family and an amazingly adventurous soul - I know that had to make him proud. Our thoughts are with you.  Hugs from Atlanta. Katy Seib & the Seib tribe!

I am sorry to hear of Mr. Starnes passing. He was such an influence on my life at Bulls Gap. He was like a Dad to all of the children there! May God comfort you all during this time and I will remember your family in my prayers. I am thankful to have known him and for the impact he had on me as a child!

Mr. Starnes was a vey respected person that anyone who came in contact with him was honored just to know him. He was loved by many. I know I can speak for the whole Howard & Opal Elkins family including grandchildren, he will be missed and our hearts & prayers go out to the family.

Mr. Starnes was a kind, caring principal/ teacher. He saw the students as  human beings, and treated each one the same. Made no difference if you had the best clothing,...or tattered rags,...he treated everyone the same. God Bless the family he left behind. He will be missed.  Rest in Peace, Mr. Starnes.                 Lonna (Marrisett) Young

I have heard my mother (Jennie Lamb) always express how good of a person Mr. Starnes was to her during her high school years at Bulls Gap.  But, I didn't know why until Mr. Starnes passed away and mom shared a story with me.  Mom's mother passed away when she was fifteen and with the passing of her mother also came the caring for her father and brothers which meant she would need to drop out of school.  Mr. Starnes would not hear of that so he visited mom and her father and discussed how he could help with making sure mom finished high school.  He worked it out that mom's classes would not conflict with her responsibilty at home. Thanks to Mr. Starnes my mom completed high school which would not have been possible with out the help of a great person with a caring heart.  I hope this message can let you know that he was and angel long before his passing.

Dear Family of Mr. Starnes, I was a student of Mr. Starnes at Bulls Gap High for 4 years, I graudated in 67 . I shall never forget the many things he taught me.....careing,... respect for myself and others......ownership of the right and wrong......and patience. God Bless you, I will keep you in my prayers. Bennie Everhart Sykes  Charlotte, N.C.

Mr. Starnes was a strong principal but he had a sense of humor that carrried through any situation. I enjoyed laughing with him and hearing his stories. He gave me one last laugh, as I crossed the graduation stage in 1968; he shook my hand, smiled, leaned down and said, 'the last of the Wolfe's to leave this school, after so many, and definitely sweeter than her brothers'. Good bye Casey, thank you for the guidance and the laughs. Sue Wolfe Craighead, Class of 1968.

Having worked with Mr. Starnes on the TSSAA while he was principal of Bulls Gap H.S., I developed a great friendship with him.  I could tell quickly after I met him that he was genuine in every respect and that he had the best interests of the athletes of Tennessee's schools at heart.  It was a genuine pleasure to serve with him on the state athletic association (TSSAA).   We have lost a fine man and educator, but we can also have faith that Tennessee's schools and the athletic programs in them will be better because a tremendous man, Carl Starnes, served those schools.

Hardy Loyd, formerly of Columbia Central High School, and former TSSAA Board of Control Chairman

Really sorry to hear about Mr. Starnes.  He was a strong, positive influence at BGHS when I graduated in '65.....Violet (Thacker) Corbett, Elkridge MD

I was honored to meet Carl Starnes while I was a reporter with the Rogersville Review in 1991. He was very kind to me and helped me to develop a fondness for the Bulls Gap community, one which I still enjoy today, as many of my friends live there. Tina and I are so sorry to learn of Mr. Starnes' passing. We want the family to know that you are in our prayers.
In Christ's Love,
Wade, Tina, Daniel, Lance, Makayla and Nathaniel

Dear Linda and Family,

I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing.  You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

OBITUARY

Carl Edward Starnes

October 19, 1925 – May 8, 2010

Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services