In his memory:

Updated: May 21, 2023

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(1/12/19)Hello, This is Joan Starkey; I need to let you know that John M. Starkey passed away on September 13, 2016. He was stationed at VFP-62, then three years in London, England. He was in Key West during the Cuba crisis. From there he was in the Philippines for 18 months. From there he went aboard the Yorktown for another 18 months. He was in charge of the photo lab when the Yorktown picked up Apollo 8. In 1969 he was transferred to NATTU as an instructor in Photo A School and B School. He retired in August 1973.

Memories and Tributes





• (5/21/23) John Morris Starkey, born October 16, 1937, in Beckley, WV, and long-time resident of Pensacola, FL, went to be with his Lord on September 13, 2016. He was surrounded by his family, his bride Joan Barker Starkey and his four daughters.
  
  He leaves behind his bride Joan of 58 years, his children Evelyn and Richard Ball, Pensacola; Brenda Starkey, Baton Rouge, LA; Rhonda and Dana Williams, Haslet, TX; and Tracey and Willie Burnham, Chesapeake, VA; and 11 grandchildren, Samantha, MacKenzie, Chris, Lynnzi, Nathan, Brandon, Ashley, Tyler, Willie Jr., Shelby, and Kayla. He also leaves behind many sisters- and brothers-in-love.
  
  He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Lynn and Mabel Ruth Traugh Starkey, step-mother Ida Williams Starkey, and his parents-in-love Bessie Louise and Rufus Adams.
  
  John retired August 17, 1973, as a Photographer's Mate First Class in the US Navy. His last duty station was Naval Air Station Pensacola. Other stations include NAS Patuxent River, MD; NAS Jacksonville and Cecil Field; U.S. Naval Support Activity London, England; NAS Key West (Boca Chica Field), FL; Fleet Intelligence Center Pacific Facility, Subic Bay, Philippines; USS Yorktown (CVS-10), Long Beach, CA. John taught photography at A and B Schools at NAS Pensacola, receiving Teacher of the Year for one of his years at B School. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Bellview Fire Department. After his retirement, he attended PJC and UWF and then worked for Gulf Coast Paving and Grading Company.
  
  John was the recipient of the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (Third Award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
  
  He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication at the University of West Florida in 1977. He was the official Navy photographer aboard the USS Yorktown for the Apollo 8 Recovery. He photographed many dignitaries while stationed in London, including President John F. Kennedy. An avid thrill seeker, John was a stock car builder and driver, scuba diver, and motorcycle rider. He also never met a stranger; to him, a stranger was just someone he had not yet met.

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Updated 3/9/18