Richard Dunn Starritt

December 12, 1955 – September 15, 2026

Richard Dunn Starritt, 70, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on September 15, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of cherished memories, laughter, and love for his family.

Known as “Richie” as a child, Richard was born to Zack B. Starritt and Helen R. Starritt and grew up in Raleigh alongside his brother, Zack, and sister, Terri. From an early age, family, faith, and the outdoors shaped the person he would become.

Some of Richard’s earliest memories were of fishing trips with his father and siblings to Lake Wheeler. His father would gather the children early in the morning and take them fishing, giving their mother a chance to sleep in. Those mornings on the water sparked a lifelong love of fishing, hunting, and the outdoors. Richard especially enjoyed spending his birthdays in the woods, often choosing to take the day off and go hunting rather than have a big celebration.

Richard grew up attending St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Raleigh, where he was baptized and confirmed. His connection to the church continued throughout his life. When his mother served on the church vestry, Richard accompanied her to unlock the church before services and lock it afterward on the Sundays she was responsible for opening and closing the building. Richard also played on the church softball team, bringing his children, Jonathan and Heather along to watch until they were old enough to play. He participated in church mission trips and volunteered building homes with Habitat for Humanity. St. Michael’s remained a meaningful part of Richard’s family history, his community, and his spiritual journey throughout his life.

Richard met the love of his life, Judith “Judy” Ball, while they were students at Broughton High School. He knew she was the one for him, and he made sure the other guys knew it, too! Richard and Judy shared 48 years of marriage, building a life centered on family, companionship, humor, and a love that endured through the years. Richard was happiest when his family was together.

In his professional life, Richard followed in his father’s footsteps and became a real estate appraiser. He learned the profession from his father and worked in the family business alongside his brother and sister, making his career yet another part of his life deeply connected to family.

Above all, Richard was an involved and devoted husband and father. When his children, Jonathan and Heather, were young, Richard didn’t simply attend their activities, he became part of them. He coached their sports teams, beginning with T-ball at the Salvation Army, and continued supporting them as they grew. He attended Jonathan’s high school football games and wrestling matches and could always be counted on to be there, watching from the sidelines.

Richard also shared his love of the outdoors with his children. In fact, he made sure Jonathan and Heather were prepared for a lifetime of it from the very beginning, purchasing each of them lifetime hunting and fishing licenses on the day they were born. Richard taught Jonathan and Heather to hunt and fish and took them along so they could experience the things that had brought him so much happiness since childhood. Before Jonathan left on a church youth group trip to Wyoming, Richard even taught him how to fly fish in the swimming pool.

He was heavily involved with Jonathan’s Boy Scout troop and joined him on many camping trips. Richard was also involved in both Jonathan’s and Heather’s Y-Guides groups, creating even more opportunities for adventures and time together.

Some of the family’s happiest memories were made on the water. Richard took everyone out on the boat to ride the inner tube and taught his children how to kneeboard and wakeboard. He was also a devoted NC State fan and a member of the Wolfpack Club, with season tickets to NC State home football games that became another family tradition.

When Heather became a debutante, it was Richard who proudly served as her escort; a fitting dress rehearsal for another special moment years later, when he walked her down the aisle at her wedding at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.

Christmas mornings brought another tradition. Richard could reliably be found behind the video camera, recording Jonathan and Heather as they opened their gifts. Those recordings are now treasured reminders not only of their childhood but of the father who was always there capturing it.

Richard had a quick wit, a wonderful sense of humor, and just enough stubbornness to keep everyone on their toes. He loved a good joke, especially when he could catch someone off guard, and had a talent for making his family laugh, or roll their eyes, with an unexpected comment.

Both of his children remember the special, silly song he sang to wake them in the mornings. What may have seemed like a simple childhood routine became one of those small memories that lasts a lifetime. Jonathan still finds himself singing the song in his head while brushing his teeth, and Heather now sings it to her son, James. Richard’s silly morning song has carried on; a reminder that sometimes the smallest things a parent does are the very things their children carry with them forever.

Richard found happiness in life’s familiar routines and simple pleasures. He loved cooking a big breakfast in the morning, watching wildlife shows and the news, and being with the people and dogs he loved. He had a particular fondness for Butterfinger candy bars, popcorn, and ice cream. After dinner, he could often be found enjoying a bowl of popcorn and tossing pieces to the family dog.

Whether he was spending an early morning hunting or fishing, cooking breakfast for his family, coaching from the sidelines, camping with the Boy Scouts, playing church softball, cheering on the Wolfpack, driving the boat while his children bounced along behind him on an inner tube, or simply relaxing at home with a bag of popcorn, Richard found joy in the people, animals, and traditions that filled his days.

He did not need grand celebrations or elaborate plans to be happy. What mattered most to him was being with the people he loved and sharing the things he loved with them.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Judith Ball Starritt; his children, Jonathan D. Starritt and Heather S. Price (Mark); his cherished grandson, James Price; his siblings, Zack Starritt (Sandy) and Terri Haywood (Burke); and many nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Zack B. Starritt and Helen R. Starritt.

A service celebrating Richard’s life will be held at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, on September 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to NC Wildlife Resources Commission (https://www.ncwildlife.gov/donate).

Though his family will miss him more than words can express, they will carry him with them in the silly morning song, every bag of popcorn, every family story told for the hundredth time, and every moment spent together.

He made us laugh. He made us feel loved. He taught us the things he loved and, in doing so, gave us pieces of himself that will remain with us always.