John Lorenzo Starr Jr

John Lorenzo Starr Jr was born August 20, 1942, in Hillsboro, Oregon, to John and Leota Belle (Arrasmith) Sr. He graduated from Forest Grove High School in 1961. One day John was just walking down the street when he was nearly knocked off his feet by a pretty young lady who was blinded by the sun. This chance meeting with Pamela Davis was the beginning of a lifetime together. Because Pam was just a junior in high school, the two dated for a couple of years before they married on April 11, 1966, in Forest Grove, Oregon. John took a job at the Fairview Training center in Salem, Oregon, where he held various positions until his retirement in 1999. The couple made their first home together in Salem where they welcomed the first three of their four children. They moved in 1973, settling permanently in Aumsville where their youngest child was born. John and Pam began attending Bethel Baptist Church in 1977 and quickly became active members. The church ran the town foodbank and John volunteered regularly there. John also enjoyed regularly attending Men’s Roundup, a yearly men’s retreat attended by a multitude of churches. Family was the most important thing to John, and he was an adoring husband and father. He and Pam were the best of friends and did everything together. They loved their day trips to the beach, just to enjoy the beautiful scenery and a little quiet time together. John loved supporting his children, and eventually his grandchildren, in whatever activity they were involved in. He also was an avid reader and book enthusiast, enjoyed puzzles, and was a dedicated fan of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. John and Pam’s first date happened on a Friday the 13th, and he always said it was his lucky day. That was proven true when he finally got to meet Jesus face-to-face when he passed away on Friday, August 13, 2021, at the age of 78. John was preceded in death by his parents John Sr and Leota; his children Jason Starr and Traci Womack; and his siblings Bertha Starr, Catherine Johansen, Charlotte Leindecker, and Dorothy Nyland. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Pamela; his children Shannon (Chad) Ness and Kristi (Scott)Bradley; grandchildren Ally Bradley, Lindsey Bradley, Emily Bradley, Christopher Ness, Seraphina Ness, and Kristin Womack; and sister Lucy Grittman.