Gene Starns

Gene A. Starns was born in Brawley, California in 1932. Gene grew up in the Central Valley of California and moved to Sacramento, CA, where he met his future wife, Georgia Grazen, whom he married in 1951.

At the outset of the Korean War, Gene joined the US Navy, serving four years on the USS Doyle (DMS-34) as a Minesweep Bosun’s Mate. He did two long tours sweeping mines off the coast of Korea.

Following his years in the Navy, Gene attended Sacramento State College as a member of the first class on its new campus. Later, Gene obtained his Master’s Degree from San Francisco State University. Upon graduation from Sacramento State College, Gene joined the San Juan Unified School District, where he eventually became an Elementary School Principal until retirement in 1988. Gene’s leadership in education was reviewed at his retirement ceremony, where his service as an educator and his leadership in guiding the district into the age of computers was recognized.

After retirement, Gene and Georgia relocated to Salem, Oregon, and joined St. John Lutheran Church. Gene became an Adjunct Professor of Education for Concordia Lutheran College, Portland, supervising student teachers in public and private schools in and around the city. His service to public and private education was recognized by Concordia Lutheran College with the granting of the Lux Christi Award in 1993.

After five years of supervising student teachers, Gene left his position with the College to initiate the development and inauguration of Concordia Lutheran Elementary School in 1995; he served on its Board for the first five years of its operation.

Predeceased by son Dana, Gene is survived by wife Georgia and children: Kristine and Mark (Mary) Starns; Gene’s grand-daughters Tammy (Robert) Garcia and Susan (Ryan) Tressler; great-grandchildren: Daniel, Jackie, and Giovanni, and his sister Bette Shorey.

A memorial service will be held Sept. 23, 1:30pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Salem, OR.