Wayne A. Starr Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Wayne A. Starr, age 79 passed away in Naples, Florida, his southern paradise, surrounded by his family on January 16, 2018. He was born November 18, 1938 in Montpelier, Ohio to Weldon Wesley and Helen Elizabeth Starr. He was raised in Edon, Ohio. In his early years Wayne worked on his Grandparent’s farm, played on a baseball team that advanced to the semifinals in two seperate League World Series and was manager of the high school basketball team. After graduating from Edon High School in 1956, he attended the University of Toledo, receiving a BBA in Industrial Management. He worked his junior and senior year as a trainer for both the football and basketball teams. Wayne’s career started with Owens-Illinois and Surface Combustion for 4 years as an industrial engineer. On June 23, 1962 Wayne married Kay Krauss and together they had two children. In 1965 he joined the family insurance business and later purchased the agency and grew the business into a successful establishment. While working, Wayne had an active military career serving for over 20 years. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, transferred to Special Forces Group and then to the 180th TAC Fighter Group with a commission to 2nd Lieutenant. In 1971 he transferred to the U.S. Air Force as the Admissions Liaison Officer for the Air Force Academy. He proudly retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1992. Wayne enjoyed coaching his children’s athletic teams, He started sailing with his father-in- law that developed into racing and winning the Great Lakes Dragon Championship. In 1968 he sailed on a 39’ yawl and won their class in every race they entered, including the Mills Race and Port Huron to Mackinaw Race. Later is life he sailed remote sailboats with groups in Naples and Stone Oak CC Holland, Ohio. Wayne served the community and sat on all the following boards: President of Sylvania TamO’Shanter, Pres. of Community Corporation, Pres. of Professional Insurance Assoc. in Ohio, Commodore of Naples Model Yacht Club, Board Member of Stone Oak Country Club and The Dunes in Naples Florida. Wayne had a passion for travel. He organized trips from fishing and golf trips with the guys to traveling around the world with friends. Wayne and Kay were fortunate to travel to 25 different countries and 6 continents. Many family trips were planned traveling out west to camp in the mountains Wayne leaves his wife of 55 years, Kay, son Jeffrey, daughter Wendy(Scott); his three grandchildren Jordan, Matthew and Nathan; his brothers Bob and Jon: sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws; nieces and nephews and many close friends. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. The family will be celebrating his life in Naples, Florida on February 24th at 11:00 a.m. at The Dunes and a Toledo service will be held in the spring at Stone Oak Country Club on May 19, at 11:00am. Remembrances may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, The Toledo Zoo, PHassociation.org. (pulmonary arterial hypertension) or a charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ansberg-West Funeral Directors, to send Wayne’s family online condolences, please visit www.ansberg-west.com.