Paul H. Starkey

One of the GREATEST family men of all time was called home to join his sons in the house of the Lord. Paul H. Starkey, aged 88 years, of Columbia Cross Roads, passed away peacefully at his home Friday evening, January 17, 2025 with his family and the love of his life, Gladys, by his side.

Born on Groundhog Day, February 2, 1936, in Richmond Township, Tioga County, he was the youngest son of Colie M. and Julia E. (Littley) Starkey. Paul was raised on the family farm and graduated from Mansfield High School in 1954.

On June 5, 1955, Paul married the love of his life, Gladys J. VanZile, at the Roseville Baptist Church. Gladys was his high school sweetheart; however, they started ‘dating’ during the seventh grade. They enjoyed over 69 years of marriage but loved and cherished each other for more than 76 years.

Paul was extremely proud of his family raising all four children with strong family values and work ethics. He taught them to be kind and respectful to others and to always put family first. No matter where his children were, he and Gladys would drive just to visit, and he insisted on being at each of their homes on Christmas Day. They hosted many family reunions at their home just to keep family roots connected.

A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, Paul served from 1956 to 1960. Holding the rank of Airman First Class, his primary job was to teach aviation mechanics serving in Amarillo, Texas and Wichita, Kansas before returning to the Troy Area. Paul continued his work in the aviation industry working at Schweitzer Aircraft in Horseheads, NY for many years. There, he worked and supervised his team building AgCats (bi-planes/crop sprayers) and gliders. He traveled the world to work on AgCats. They would ship them in pieces and Paul would go put them back together. For a few years, Paul was in a partnership with his brother-in-law, George Gurnsey, forming Gurnsey & Starkey, General Contracting. He eventually took a job with Cummings Lumber Company as a carpenter. There he built buildings such as the first building of Oak Hill Veneer, maintained the various buildings and supported his co-workers wherever he could whether it was maintenance or woodworking. Paul was a master carpenter, and his work can be found in the area as he built a few homes and renovated many others.

Paul was very active in many organizations and fraternities in the community and throughout the area. He was a brother of the Trojan Masonic Lodge, 306 F&AM, receiving his 50-year pin in 2024 and earning his 33rd degree which he and Gladys traveled to Minneapolis, MN to receive that great honor. He was also a member and brother of Troy Royal Arch Chapter #261, Tall Cedars, Shriners, Red Cross, Scottish Rite NMJ, Provincial Grand Lodge Royal Order of Scotland and Irem Temple and the Knights of York Cross of Honor to name a few. He was also engaged and participated in the Valley Lodge, Towanda and Canton. Paul was a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Troy Historical Society.

Reinforcing his faith, Paul served as a Deacon and a Trustee during his tenure at First Baptist Church of Troy, where he was a member for 54 years.

He was an avid outdoorsman in his younger years. He spent many days in the woods, small game hunting and big game hunting with family and friends. He taught all his children how to hunt and taught Hunters Safety at times. He enjoyed trap shooting and was a lifetime member of Troy Rod & Gun Club. He also enjoyed fishing which was also passed down to his kids and grandchildren. Throughout the summer months many would drive past and see Paul on his tractor mowing his lawn. He mowed a very large area and always said he wanted it to look nice and it was his “peaceful

time”. Most of all he loved spending time with his family, and he completely and unequivocally adored Gladys and traveling with her, even if it was just going for a ride.

He is survived by his wife and queen, Gladys, of Columbia Cross Roads; his daughters and sons-in-law, Paula and Alan Wilcox, of Middletown and Kathy and Josh Bryington, of Canton, daughter-in-law Carlene Starkey, of Columbia Cross Roads, Grandchildren: Julie (Brian) Stone, Mindy (Jay) VanNoy, Brooke Bentley, Jordan Bentley, Nicholas Bryington, Kylie (Tony) Carter, Korey Starkey and his special friend Elizabeth; Great Grandchildren: Trinity, Caden, Elleyahnna, Kaliyah, Louden, as well as many nieces, nephews and special friends.

In addition to his parents, Paul was proceeded to the house of the Lord by his sons Mark Monroe in 1976 and Michael Ramon in 2018; his siblings Merle, Genevieve, and Alice, and Gladys’ siblings: James (Pat) VanZile, Sharon (George) Gurnsey, and LaRue (Carol) VanZile, who was like a son to Paul.

Services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Troy 579 Canton Street, Troy, PA on Sunday, February 2, 2025 – Paul’s 89th Birthday. Visitation will start at 2:00 with the Masonic Service starting at 3:00 and the Memorial Service following. A Veteran Color Guard will then present the colors to close the ceremony. The Gerald W. Vickery, Jr. Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. 1093 W Main St. Troy, PA has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions be made online to the Shriners Children’s Hospital at https://lovetotherescue.org/ or send donations in Paul’s name to: Kids Can’t Fight Cancer Alone, c/o Harvest Rock, 784 Canton Street, Troy, PA 16947.