Charley LeRoy Starr

Charley LeRoy Starr was born on June 25, 1946, in Seminole, Oklahoma, to James Lee and Sylvia Marie (Lloyd) Starr. He passed away on March 2, 2026, at the age of 79. He lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his wife, Judy Kay Starr. They were married on January 2, 1982, in Tulsa and together raised two children, son Edward Allen Griffin and daughter Jessica Lee Starr.

As a child, Charley moved frequently across states with his parents and three sisters as his father worked for various newspapers. He often found himself the new kid at school, sometimes getting into fights but also forming lasting friendships. He graduated from Central High School in downtown Tulsa. Charley spent 40 years in the printing industry, working at PennWell Publishing Company, Oklahoma Offset, and Tulsa Litho. His work travels allowed him to bring home special gifts for his family, including a Chicago Bulls poster featuring Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson for his son, and many Native American prints that still adorn their home.

Charley met Judy in 1980 while shooting pool with friends. Pool remained one of his favorite pastimes throughout his life, with a table often occupying a central place in their living room. He and Judy enjoyed dancing on weekends, and their home was frequently filled with family and friends gathered around the table, music playing. He took great pleasure in teaching his children to play, enforcing his own rules with humor, and staying up late with them and their friends even after long workdays.

In later years, his grandchildren became the center of his world. He delighted in sneaking them M&M’s, attending their school and sporting events whenever possible, and watching from afar when he could not be there in person. He was especially grateful for technology that allowed him to follow their games, including setting up his iPad for GameChanger and watching his granddaughter Charley Jade’s college games on the big screen. Charley will be remembered for the deep love he showed his family, his pride in his heritage, and his gift for storytelling. His family will always cherish hearing him reply “Ditto Kiddo” whenever they told him they loved him.

He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Sonny Starr; his father, James Starr; his mother, Marie Starr; his sisters, Trisha Starr and Jeanette Welch; his brother-in-law, Carl Welch; and his niece, Jamie Cravett. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Starr; his son Edward Griffin and daughter-in-law Danika; his daughter Jessica Starr and Tony Juarez; his grandchildren Zackary Coleman, Kailea and Luke Day, Charley Coleman, Anna Starr, Edward Griffin Jr., Ella Whitaker, Ashelyn Griffin, Braxton Potter, Paislee Starr, and Legend Griffin; his sister Beverly Schrimsher; his brother-in-law Dickie Davis; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.