Obituary

FREDERICK DARRELL STARNES
June 12, 1941 – November 16, 2024

Frederick Darrell Starnes was one of seven children born to Tassie Otis Starnes and Felecia (Cockrell) Starnes in Ridgeway, Illinois, on June 12, 1941.

His family later moved to Oxford, Ohio, where Darrell attended McGuffey High School for his freshman year. He finished the rest of his high school education at Talawanda High School, where he excelled on both the football and basketball teams, and where he met who would become his beloved wife of 65 years, Judith Anne Hansel of Darrtown, Ohio. They soon welcomed their three children, Debbie, Rick and Scott.

Darrell attended electrical engineering school and worked for General Electric and Magnavox. In 1969, Darrell and Judy made the bold decision to move their young family to California to help Darrell’s brother, Les, start up his orthodontic practice in Newport Beach. During their trek west in their new Ford Galaxy 500, with Triumph sports car in tow, the family stopped to take in many of the iconic sites along Route 66.

He subsequently launched his real estate and construction company in Corona del Mar, CA, having built several of the original homes in the Big Canyon, Spyglass Hill and Corona Del Mar communities. He was a devoted supporter of his children’s sports teams, schools and extracurricular activities.

In 1981, Darrell and Judy moved to Coto de Caza, CA, and were among the very first families to build their home in “The Estates” division of the newly-budding community, long before Coto de Caza was fully planned and developed, and adjacent Rancho Santa Margarita was established.

Darrell continued building and designing homes in Coto de Caza with his son, Rick, as well as in other areas of Orange and Santa Barbara counties.

Darrell was one of the original members of the Coto de Caza Hunt Club, and enjoyed hunting with his son, Scott, as well as his brothers and friends. As a founding member of the Rotary Club, where he served multiple terms as president, Darrell spearheaded several major Rotary Club events in Coto de Caza to support local charitable organizations, including concerts by Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Alabama and The Desert Rose Band. He was also an integral part of the teams that hosted Team Penning events and the Modern Pentathlon for the 1984 Olympics in Coto de Caza.

Darrell will be fondly remembered by his loving family and friends for his affectionate smile, generosity of time and spirit, and sincere interest in the lives of those he knew and loved.

Darrell passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 16, 2024, at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife, Judy; daughter, Debbie Martin of Costa Mesa, CA; son, Rick Starnes (Sheila) of Santa Barbara, CA; son, Scott Starnes of Cota de Caza, CA; brother, Les Starnes (Sally) of Costa Mesa, CA; sister, Darlene White (Jack) of Port St. Lucie, FL; sister, Sharon Hansel (Jack, deceased; John) of Darrtown, OH; grandson, Michael Starnes of Santa Barbara, CA; and granddaughter, Jacqueline Starnes of San Diego, CA. He was predeceased by his parents, Tassie and Felecia; sister, Barbara Woods; brother, Raymond Starnes; and brother, David Starnes.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at the Coto Valley Country Club at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.