1929 – 2015

FARMINGTON — James “Ken” Starnes, 86, passed away in his sleep on Monday, Nov. 23, at Edgewood Rehabilitation and Living Center in Farmington.

He was born on March 29, 1929, in Walnut Ridge, Ark., the son of Roy Starnes and Eddie Smith Starnes. He attended Walnut Ridge School in Walnut Ridge, Ark. On June 18, 1988, he married Rebecca Stevens in Casco.

Ken owned his own business, Ken’s Body Shop, in Wilton for 30 years. For five years, in the 1960s, Ken operated the gondolas at Sugarloaf. He was a member of the VFW, the Sons of AMVETS in Jay and the Country Classic Car Club in Farmington.

Ken raised boxer dogs and his dog, Brutus, was his best friend. They were inseparable for nine years. Ken had a special passion for restoring antique cars and together with Becky, they collected and rebuilt many of them, including his 1935 Ford coupe.

He is survived by his wife, Becky Starnes; his two children, son, Dale Starnes and wife, Georgette, and daughter, Sonya Dearborn and husband, Richard; his four grandchildren, Joshua Starnes, Kristy Starnes, Kylie Shaw and Alex Shaw; his five great-grandchildren; his two stepchildren, Kim Serber and husband, Chris, Scott McAuley and wife, Amy; his four stepgrandchildren, Addison and Lilah Serber, Alexandra and Benjamin McAuley; his sister, Patricia Hardcastle; and his brother, Ronald Sullivan.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Sandra Kay Starnes; his parents; his stepfather, Jick Sullivan; and his sisters, Nancy Pinkham, Jamie Cleamer and Glenda Faulkner.

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