MAX JOHNSON STARNS

Mass of Christian Burial for Max Johnson Starns, 78, of Odessa, will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at 10:00 AM at St. George Catholic Church, Odessa, MO. Visitation for Mr. Starns will be held on Tuesday, July 9th, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home in Odessa. The Holy Rosary will be from 6:00 to 6:30 PM on Tuesday prior to visitation. Memorial gifts may be made to St. George Catholic Church. Burial will be at the Odessa City Cemetery. Mr. Starns passed on to eternal life on Thursday, July 4, 2013, at St. Lukes Hospital on the Plaza. Max Johnson Starns was born on June 15, 1935, to Arthur Garfield and Florence Viola (Johnson) Starns. He married Elizabeth Anna OMalley on September 17, 1960, in Weir, Kansas. Mr. Starns graduated from Cherryvale High School in 1953 and then attended Independence Community College in Independence, KS, earning his Associate of Arts Degree. Mr. Starns then attended the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy in Lawrence, KS, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy. Mr. Starns graduated at the top of his pharmacy class in 1958. He was a member of Phi Lambda Upsilon (Honorary Chemical Society), the Rho Chi Society (Pharmaceutical Honor Society) and a lifetime member of the Kansas University Alumni Association. Mr. Starns was the owner/operator of Starns Pharmacy in Odessa from 1967 until 1998 when he sold the business and retired. Mr. Starns was an Army Veteran, enlisting in 1959, and was a member of the Army Reserves from 1959 to 1965. Mr. Starns was an active member in the Odessa Community and served on many committees including being on the Board of Directors for the Odessa Development Company, serving as treasurer; the Pharmacy Business Associates, past president; the Odessa United Way, past president; and the Mayview-Odessa-Bates City Ambulance Service, serving as treasurer. Mr. Starns was a member of the Knights of Columbus and had served as Grand Knight; American Mensa; Odessa Optimist Club, charter member; Odessa Chamber of Commerce and the Odessa Missouri Lions Club. He was also a very active member at St. George Catholic Church serving in many roles. During his professional career, Mr. Starns received many honors and awards. In 1998 he received the Missouri Pharmacy Associations "Bowl of Hygeia" award as the top independent pharmacist in the state. Mr. Starns was voted "Odessan of the Year" by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce in 1976 for his outstanding civic contributions to the community of Odessa and distinguished achievements in leadership. He received the "Gold Medal Award" from Sterling Drug, Inc., the "Bristol Award" from Bristol Laboratories as well as the "Merck Award" from Merck and Company. Additionally, Mr. Starns memberships included the National Community Pharmacists Association where he served on the Audit/Membership Committees, and the West Central Missouri Pharmaceutical Association serving as vice president. He was also a member of the NFIB, the Missouri Retailers Association and the Kansas Pharmaceutical Association. Mr. Starns is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, of the home. Three sons, Arthur Starns and wife Anna of Rolla, MO; Anthony Starns and wife Angela of Springfield, MO; and Gregory Starns and wife Elizabeth of Nixa, MO. His eight grandchildren are: Kayla Marie, Phillip Anthony, Maria Elizabeth, Emma Marie, Gianna Catherine, Bridgette Anne, Kelly Elizabeth, and Max Gregory. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers James Dayton and Arthur, Jr.; as well as his sisters Katherine Goodrich, Eileen Starns and Alda Starns. Max was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed. Arrangements: Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, Odessa, MO 64067 816-633-5524