Jess David Starkey

Jess David Starkey, 80 of Sedan, New Mexico, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. MST on Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Amistad United Methodist Church in Amistad, New Mexico with Pastor Kenneth Tidmore officiating and Pastor Jeremy McMorris assisting. Interment will follow in Amistad Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. CST Friday at Beeson-Morrison Funeral Directors in Dumas, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Beeson ~ Morrison Funeral Directors. Jess was born May 26, 1940, in Littlefield, Texas, to Andy and Mae (King) Starkey. He was united in marriage to Lola Perky on February 10, 1962, at First Baptist Church in Dumas. Jess was primarily a farmer and rancher in the Texas Panhandle. He worked for Cactus Feeders then Moore County as the road and bridge superintendent. He spent most of his life serving the community in various associations. He was a Moore County Commissioner for more than eight years, a past president of Moore County Farm Bureau, and a past president and sheep superintendent of the Moore County Livestock Association. He was on the building committee for the Moore County Rodeo Association. He was awarded the Texas State 4-H Distinguished Leader Award. Of all the titles that Jess had, his proudest was being called "Poppa" by his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Johnny Starkey, Andrew Starkey and Franklin Starkey; and by two sisters, Maudie Zarkou and Naomi Christianson. Jess is survived by his wife, Lola, of the home; daughters: Larri Jo Starkey of Amarillo, Texas, Cyndi Mireles and husband Mike of Yukon, Oklahoma, Cassie Reynolds and husband Larry of Bandera, Texas, and Davida Hale and husband Travis of Sedan; three grandchildren, Shelby Reynolds, Ross Reynolds and Josie Hale; two brothers: Jack Wilson Starkey and wife Denise of Lutz, Florida, and Bill Starkey and wife Jean of Orville, California; and numerous extended family members. The family suggests, with gratitude, memorials be made to Amistad United Methodist Church, PO Box 325, Amistad, NM 88410 or The Moore County Junior Livestock Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 581, Dumas, TX 79029. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Jess David Starkey, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.