Jere Donald Starnes, 79, of Chattanooga, died on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at his residence, surrounded by his family members.
He was born in and raised in Cookeville, TN to the late Jere Alton Starnes and Elizabeth Fields Starnes. Jere was a retired Captain with the Tennessee Highway Patrol with 33 years of service in Law Enforcement. He was a lifetime member of the fraternal Order of Police, the American Legion Post 95 and served as Past East Tennessee Vice-President of the Tennessee Retired Troopers Association. Jere was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving of the USS Hancock.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jere Ronald Starnes; granddaughter, Jessie Anna Starnes; brothers, James, John and Bill Starnes; sisters, Mary Ruth Womack and Francis O’Connor.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Jackie Wynn Starnes, sons, Lt. Robert Starnes, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Judge Gary W. Starnes, Hamilton County General Sessions Court; daughters-in-law, Marie Costello Starnes and Carol Cox Starnes; grandchildren, Joshua Starnes, Jennifer Starnes, Lesley Starnes McDonald, Christina Starnes Evans, Bryan Starnes and Zoey Wilson.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 20, in the funeral home chapel with Minister John Cupp officiating. Interment will follow in Lakewood Memory Gardens, West. The Tennessee Highway Patrol will serve as pallbearers and Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Forgotten Child Fund, 3000 Alton Park Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37410.
Visit www.heritage fh.com to share words of comfort and to view the memorial tribute.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, and 12-2 p.m. on Friday at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.