James Alton Starke Jr.

Jay is survived by his wife of 46 years, Kay; his daughters Kathryn Starke, Elizabeth Rutledge (Nick), and Laura Barrick (Houston); his brother John Starke; and his cherished grandchildren, Grace and Luke Rutledge, and Charlotte, John, James, and Eleanor Barrick. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, James Alton Starke and Cecile Starke.

Jay lived a life defined by leadership, service, and mentorship. A graduate of Douglas Freeman High School and the University of Richmond, he pursued excellence both on and off the court, serving as assistant women’s basketball coach at Randolph–Macon College for over a decade and later earning induction into the Randolph–Macon Hall of Fame. His coaching career also included time at J.R. Tucker High School and Saint Gertrude High School.

Deeply engaged in civic life and politics, Jay was active in political causes and campaigns for many years, lending his leadership and strategic insight to candidates and community initiatives he believed in. In 1990, he further demonstrated his commitment to public service by running for the United States Congress.

A successful business owner throughout his career, Jay was President of Starke & Associates. He was equally passionate about helping others succeed. He dedicated countless hours volunteering with many organizations including SCORE, Kiwanis Club of Richmond, Virginia Voice, and the Democratic Party of Virginia. An exceptional conversationalist, Jay had a remarkable ability to connect with others and made them feel valued, respected, and truly heard. He will be remembered for his wisdom, generosity, deep love of family, and unwavering belief in the potential of others.

A visitation will take place on June 1, 2026, from 4:00-6:00pm at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia. A funeral celebrating his life will be held on June 2, 2026, at 11:00am at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 9505 Gayton Road, Richmond, Virginia. A reception will immediately follow the service. In his honor, memorial contributions can be made to Habitat for Humanity or Friends of the Library.