Richard “Dick” Allen Starner

Richard “Dick” Allen Starner, 79, passed away peacefully Monday, March 12, 2012.
A private family service was held Friday, March 16. A celebration of Dick’s life will be held at a later date with dear friends and associates.
The only child of the late Jesse and Edith Starner, of Elkhart, Ind., he was the loving husband of Marilyn Burkhead Starner; proud father of Richard “Rick” Starner Jr., of Raleigh, Robert “Bob” Starner (deceased), and Kimberle Starner Crawley, of Pinehurst; grandfather to Joshua Aleman, of Kitty Hawk, Melissa Starner, of Houston, Sean Starner, of Issaquah, Wash., Ali Starner, of Seattle, Lucas Garner, of Kitty Hawk, and Jackie Crawley, Nathaniel Crawley, Daniel Crawley and Nicolas Crawley, all of Pinehurst.
Dick was an all-star athlete, meriting him to be inducted in the Elkhart Co. Hall of Fame in 2008. He attended UNC-Chapel Hill, where he played football and received a degree in chemistry.
After graduation he spent 25 years in the U.S. Air Force, Strategic Air Command, and was involved with the support systems of the first lunar ­landing of Apollo II. He served during the Vietnam War. Following the war, he was involved with the flight tests at Edwards AFB in California. He was a member of the Tin Whistles and a faithful member of “Bill W.” for 33 years.
Memorials may be made to FirstHealth Foundation, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374. Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home and Crematory of Pinehurst is assisting the family.