Mack "Joe" Robert Starnes

Matthew 25:21 says “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” These are the words Jesus said as Mack Robert Starnes stepped into eternity on Wednesday, July 16th. He was 92 years old. Mack was born on November 15, 1932 to Mack and Mable Starnes in Belmont, North Carolina. He shared his father’s name, so he went by “Joe” for as long as he could remember. Joe was raised in North Carolina along with his sisters Lillian, Franki, and Helen until he joined the Navy, after high school, in 1953. Even at this early age, Joe was known to many he served with as “the preacher man.” After his service, Joe moved to Pomona, California in 1956. Joe always had “the knack” for mechanics. He worked in lawn care and various positions during his time in California. Most importantly, Carolyn Yvonne Starnes lived in Chino, California, a neighboring town to Pomana. The two met and dated for a number of years. They married on August 19, 1964. As grandma would say, “The rest is history.”

Joe always wanted to live in a place with plenty of open space. The couple moved to Clifton, Colorado in 1968 and bought their first home on 86 acres. They both loved to welcome people into their home. At their front door, you would often hear Joe say, “Get on into this house!” Together with Yvonne, they frequently hosted and served people. Early in their marriage, Joe and Yvonne were youth leaders. They were an honorary family to so many young people in the valley. Joe and Yvonne had two sons, Kelly and Mark, who lived all of their young life on 34 Road. The boys have so many adventurous memories to share about their dad and their time growing up there. Joe loved his home and was able to remain at home until the last day of his life.

Most of Joe’s career was spent as a heavy equipment mechanic and operator. When he wasn’t working, you could often find him in his shop tinkering and fixing things. Although he was an excellent mechanic, Joe was known for his matchless faith. No matter where he worked, his number one goal was to further the gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition to raising two preachers, Joe was a teacher and preacher himself. He taught Sunday school classes, Bible studies, and he was a councilman for the church. He loved to worship God. He played the bass and acoustic guitars and often sang with the worship team and with a quartet. Joe spent many years teaching in nursing homes across the Grand Valley. He and Yvonne led several services a week until the last years of their life.

Additionally, Joe’s family would like you to know that he was a christian through and through, not only at church but in every part of his life. He was a loving man full of strength and wisdom. He was a very present father and papa and he was a part of everything they did, from pushing the kids on the tire swing to praying with his family in the altar. He was still good for a trip down the camp water slide at age 82. Joe was a magnificent example of what Christ can do in a surrendered heart and life. Amidst pain and suffering, he remained true to Christ. His heart poured out with prayers and praise continually.

Joe was beloved by many but especially by his sons, daughters-in-love, and his grandkids. Joe is survived by his son Kelly Starnes & his wife Cindy, his son Mark Starnes & his wife Amy, his grandkids Rylan Starnes (18), Alaina Starnes (17), and Luke Starnes (13), nephews, nieces, cousins, and his precious church family at Gospel Ministries Center. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Yvonne Starnes, his parents, Mack and Mable Starnes, his step-father Reverend M.E. Drake, and his sisters Lillian Starnes, Francis Hall, and Helen Abeloe.

Memorial Services will be Wednesday, July 30th, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Gospel Ministries Center, 1622 Glenwood Avenue in Grand Junction, followed by a burial service at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Gospel Ministries Center. http://www.gmcgj.com/give/