Our beloved husband, brother, uncle and friend, Joseph Dennis Starkovich, 85, was called home to heaven on July 10, 2020, after a valiant fight to remain here with his loved ones, friends and beloved Husky football team.
Joe was the center of his wife, Loretta’s world. Married for 60 years, they were glued at the hip and were each other’s everything. Joe and Loretta were the ultimate Husky fans/Tyee Club members and were well known for their entire purple attire, home and at one time, purple car. They loved their adventures traveling for away games with friends and never missed a game until recent months. Even though Joe attended Puyallup High School (graduating in 1954) and was a proud Viking, he was a loyal supporter of Renton High School and the Friends of Renton High School. Renton was his home! Joe took such pleasure in the small things like a big bag of snacks, grocery shopping, tacos at Toreros, a cold beer, digging around in the garden, talking to his sister every day, teasing his many nieces and nephews, and of course, tailgating before a Husky game.
Joe was born in Puyallup, Washington, September 30, 1934, to Joseph & Margaret Starkovich. Joe served in the US Navy. He met the love of his life, Loretta, at the famous Spanish Castle Ballroom. A year later, they married at St. Anthony’s in Renton. Joe grew up on a farm with his siblings Donna Hall and Dave Starkovich and still liked to get his hands in the dirt. He worked as a truck driver his entire career and work at Boeing for several decades. He absolutely loved to drive. His sense of humor and teasing brought all that loved him so much joy, laughter and sometimes torment!
Along with his wife Loretta, his sister Donna (Lloyd) and his brother Dave (Colleen), he is survived by his sister-in-law Dolores McGuire (Chuck), nieces and nephews: Chuck McGuire, Mark Hall (Renee), Debra Flewelling (Keith), Denise Weitz (Rick), Marty Starkovich (Danielle), Carol Lubahn (Rick), Steve Morse and many great- and great-great nieces and nephews. Joe joins his heavenly family Parents-Joe & Margaret Starkovich, Mother-in-law-Angie DeLaurenti, Brother-in-law-Lloyd Hall and Niece-Lisa Morse.
We would like to extend a special thank you to his caretakers, but especially Catherine (happy), Keesha and Veronica. Veronica, aka: Bodyguard, you will always have a special place in our hearts for the love and friendship you showed Joe. We especially appreciate you sparring with him and treating him how he wanted to be treated.
A viewing and rosary will be held Tuesday, July 21 from 2:00 to 6:00 at Greenwood Memorial in Renton. A funeral service will be held at St. Anthony’s Parish in Renton. Due to COVID-19, we request that you call Denise at 206-276-1910 for more information about the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Friends of Renton High School are greatly appreciated.
Friends of Renton High School
P.O. Box 1094
Renton, WA 98057
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