WILMINGTON — Joseph Eugene Starling, 83 of Lake Forest, formerly of Raleigh, NC, a Navy veteran, retired telephone line repairman and heating and air conditioning technician, passed peacefully in his sleep on Sunday.
A native of Wilmington, he was the son of the late Arthur J. Starling Jr and the late Ruth Jenrette Starling, Joe was a member of the Church of Cheerful Hope in Delco, North Carolina.
Joe’s early life was shaped by both loss and family. After his mother died in an automobile accident when he was less than a year old, he lived his early years with his maternal grandparents Fletcher Davis Jenrette and Teresa Woods Jenrette while his father served in the Army during and after World War II. As a teenager, Joe moved to Raleigh to live with his father and stepmother, Mary Hogan Starling.
Following high school, Joe joined the Navy, where he spent two years serving, including time aboard the USS Hoel in San Diego, CA and in the Pacific supporting operations in Vietnam. After completing his service to the Navy, Joe returned to Wilmington, the city he would always consider home.
Joe worked as an electrician during the construction of New Hanover Hospital before beginning a long career with Southern Bell, where he made many friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Joe married Jeanine Jeffords, and together they had three children: Michelle Starling Marks (Michael) of Wilmington, Tammy Starling Van Duyn (Gerret) of Raleigh, and Arthur Jackson Starling III (Michele) of Charlotte. He was a devoted grandfather to Nicholas Marks of Raleigh, Hannah and Sarah Van Duyn of Raleigh, and Steven Simpers (Tabitha) of Charlotte.
Few things brought Joe more joy than his grandchildren. He loved them deeply and delighted in being part of their lives, including taking his granddaughters clothes shopping, something that became one of those family stories that perfectly captured the kind of grandfather he could be.
Joe loved golf, a passion he shared with his children and his grandson Nick. He loved Wilmington, valued the lifelong friendships he made during his years with the phone company, and never lost his appreciation for a great car. Most recently, he could often be found driving his Corvette convertible, not as a weekend toy but as his everyday car, exactly the way he wanted it.
Joe’s faith was an important part of his life. He believed deeply in the Lord and was a member of Cheerful Hope Baptist Church.
Joe will be remembered for his love of family, his faith, his friendships, his lifelong love of golf, and his attachment to the Wilmington community he always considered home.
The family will hold a private service.
