BRUCE STARKEY, 86, of LaPorte, Texas passed away February 17, 2018 after a lingering illness. Bruce was born to Floyd and Ellen Starkey in Geneva, Ohio on October 8, 1931. Bruce married his loving wife Eleanor Wickert Starkey, whom he celebrated 62 years of marriage. During the Korean conflict, he served abroad on the USS Mansfield DD728. Bruce and Ellie were regular attendants of the Mansfield reunions and enjoyed the lifelong relationships Bruce made while serving in the Navy. Bruce began working at New York Central Railroad before his enlistment and for a short period after before becoming employed in the chemical plant industry. When the chemical refinement industry began to wane, he followed his Navy buddy, Charles Stanley to Texas. Upon arriving in Texas, it did not take long for Bruce to become an employee of Lyondell Corporation in the booming town of Pasadena. In July of 1976, after making life changing decisions, Bruce’s family became residents of Deer Park, Texas where he remained until his retirement whereupon they moved to LaPorte. Bruce and Ellie attended and volunteered with the First United Methodist Church where he was an active member of the choir. The soulmates also enjoyed traveling together upon retirement as well as time spent with their family. Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Ellen Starkey; Brother Floyd and his wife Eleanor formerly of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; sister Betty Kennedy and husband Chet formerly of Geneva, Ohio; brother George Starkey formerly of Geneva, Ohio; and sister in law Lila Starkey formerly of Painseville, Ohio. Bruce is survived in death by his beloved wife Eleanor Starkey, beloved daughter Pam Gerhardt and Bobby Knight, beloved son Keith Starkey and wife Stephanie, beloved son Kevin Starkey and wife Blythe. Grandchildren Kenny Starkey, Michael Starkey and wife Lindsay, Travis Starkey and wife Natalie, Kayla Coberley and husband Jason, Cole Gerhardt, Baylee Campbell, and Brent Starkey. Great grandchildren Seth Vera, Krislynn and Emmory Starkey, and Bradley Coberley. Surviving siblings and in-laws include sister Mary Starkey of Geneva, Ohio; sister Lois Stanton of Geneva, Ohio; sister Ruth Ann Hiner and husband Denny of Ashland, Ohio; brother Bill Starkey of Painesville, Ohio; and sister in law Ruth Starkey of Geneva, Ohio. Bruce is also survived by his nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces in Ohio. The services and celebration for Bruce Starkey will be held at the First United Methodist Church of La Porte located at 9601 Fairmont Parkway on Saturday, March 3rd at 11:00am. It is the request of Bruce and the family that in lieu of flowers, donations of remembrance can be made to the First United Methodist Church of La Porte or the La Porte First United Methodist Church Choir. Interment at Grand View Cemetery will be a private service.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at The Courtyard at Pasadena and Bruce’s special caregiver Christina for their care and support during this time.