John Nickolas Starks

John N. Starks of Scottsbluff, died at his home August 27, 2005 after a brief illness. A memorial service will be held at the Hampton Inn Conference Center, Thursday, September 1, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. John was the youngest of nine children of Nickolas and Blanche (York) Starks. He was born in Harrison, NE, October 13, 1932. The family lived in a sod house in Agate where John spent his early years. He attended high school in Harrison and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1950. Enlistment in the navy followed in January 1952 and he served four years. Returning to Scottsbluff, John worked as an electrician. In 1956 he met and married Mary Anne Taylor. In May of 1957 he was injured in a work related accident. Although paralyzed for the remainder of his life he was active in his family and community. He served on volunteer committees, organized a Handicapped Awareness Week and worked for handicapped parking in Scottsbluff. He was a delegate to the White House Conference on the Handicapped, Handicapped Nebraskan of the Year, and long time member of Paralyzed Veterans of America. John and Mary Anne operated the Telephone Answering Service for 10 years. John is survived by his wife, sons Laurence of Seattle and Michael and daughter-in-law Christiane, and grandchildren Jessica and Michael of Nashua, NH, brother: Lyle of Sioux Falls, SD and sisters: Barbara Campbell of Riverton, WY, Jean Randall of Helotes, TX, Joan Kerns of Mitchell, NE, and Georgia Eckhardt of West Blockton, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles and sisters Mable Cashatt and Edna Meyers.