Morris Duane Starr of Eufaula, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024, at St. Simeon’s Senior Community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 90.
Born on Nov. 23, 1933, in Okemah, Morris attended Tulsa Public Schools, graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1951 and attended Tulsa University.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy.
Morris married Madelyn Kay Perry on May 29, 1955, in Tulsa. They had two sons, Steven Duane of Oklahoma City, and Scott David of Broken Arrow. In his early life Morris was involved with Blue T Basketball and football; he loved coaching and mentoring young people. His work history includes several years as a draftsman and manager of employee health/ recreation programs for Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, then many more years in the ownership and management of bowling centers in Oklahoma and Kansas.
He retired in 1997. He was always ready to camp, boat and fish.
Morris and his second wife, Therese (Gelvin), were married in 1998; they moved from Tulsa to Eufaula to make their home on the lake where they lived until his death.
Morris was a gracious and appreciative man who loved nothing more than investing time and energy in his family, especially his four grandchildren and new greatgrandson. They were his whole world.
He also loved to visit with anyone who came to the house – neighbors, contractors, kids’ friends – no matter who you were or why you were there, you were a friend, and he was glad to see you and share some stories.
Morris was preceded in death by his birth father and mother, Jack Webb and Gladys Mae Baker, and adoptive father, Bert “Jack” Starr; half-sister Phyllis Larrimore; and first wife Madelyn Starr.
He is survived by his wife, Therese; half-sister Barbara Chapman; sons Steve and Scott (Dawn); grandchildren Brandon Starr (Krystina Luna), Blake Starr (Chloe), Madelyn Cheatham (Jacob) and Colton Starr; great-grandson Kasey James Cheatham; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Services were held on May 13, 2024, at Floral Haven Funeral Home and Cemetery in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Special thanks are given for all the compassionate caregivers at St. Simeon’s and Grace Hospice, who walked with us through these last weeks.
