John Nelson Starnes

John Nelson Starnes, 88, was surrounded by family when he passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord on August 22, 2026.

John was born on April 21, 1938, in Piney Flats, Tennessee, the only child of the late Creed Nelson Starnes and Nelle Wolfe Starnes. He spent his childhood on Main Street and graduated from Mary Hughes High School, where he was voted Most Talented and Most Original by his 1956 classmates.

At East Tennessee State University, he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, was involved in ROTC and was on the Rifle Team, earning recognition as the top ROTC marksman in the state. He graduated with a degree in mathematics and then proudly served his country in the US Army. In 1964, he and the love of his life, Patsy Houston Starnes, were married. He began teaching math in the Sullivan County school system, and then in 1969, he accepted a job at Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, Virginia, where he was instrumental in developing one of the first math labs in the state. He completed postgraduate work and taught classes at Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia. He worked in institutional research before he returned to his first love, teaching, and taught at VWCC for 32 years. He enjoyed judging science fairs and conducting workshops at math conferences. In 1980, he was one of two educators representing the State of Virginia at a Master Teachers' Seminar in Portland, Maine.

A devout Christian, he was a member of three different United Methodist churches at various stages of his life. He joined his wife at Enterprise United Methodist Church in Piney Flats where he worked with the youth fellowship group and was Sunday School Superintendent. Thrasher Memorial UMC was his church in Vinton, Virginia, where he was a member for 35 years. During this time, he taught Sunday School, worked with the youth fellowship group, and led Bible studies. He had a heart for mission work and spent several summers with the Roanoke District Volunteers in Missions building churches and schools in Haiti, Puerto Rico, and several stateside locales. He enjoyed attending the 4th of July VIM conferences at Lake Junaluska. He began his church life at Piney Flats UMC and returned to this church upon retirement, serving as a Sunday School teacher and doing whatever else was needed. He had been an active member of the Southwest Virginia Emmaus community and Kairos Prison Ministry.

John was a devoted dad and was involved with his daughters' education and extracurricular activities, attending countless piano and dance recitals. He was a board member of the Bush Valley Swim Club where his daughters joined the neighborhood kids each summer and he often served as a judge at swim meets. He coached his youngest daughter's Youth League basketball team. He was a devoted grandfather as well, making trips to Midlothian, Virginia and to Knoxville to watch his grandchildren who were involved with soccer, field hockey, basketball, and swimming, as well as piano recitals and youth orchestra concerts.

John loved to travel and liked to spend a few weeks each summer taking the family on road trips through the USA and Canada. Later, he enjoyed taking tours abroad and cruises. He and Patsy followed the Lady Vols and attended several Final Fours. His happy place, though, was the Isle of Palms outside Charleston, South Carolina.

He had a workshop full of tools, could fix or build almost anything and loved to help others. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and was the Treasurer of the Piney Flats Historical Society. He enjoyed being a member of a local investment club. He loved to square dance and attended ballroom dances at the Johnson City Senior Center. At age 80, he ran a competitive 5K in Midlothian. An energetic and active person, he always had a project he was working on and rarely had an idle moment until Parkinson's forced him to slow down.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Patsy, and by his daughters, Shannan Starnes Rosa and her husband Cesar of Piney Flats; Betsy Starnes and her husband Leo Mazow of Midlothian; and Jennifer Starnes Scrugham and her husband Richard of Knoxville. Grandchildren are Sophie, Erica and Luc Louis of Midlothian; Daniel Scrugham and his wife Elizabeth of Birmingham, Alabama; and Andrew and Matthew Scrugham of Knoxville. Bonus grandchildren are Michelle Rosa Wek and her husband Frank of Katy, Texas; Cesar Rosa Jr., Ada Maria Rosa and Lorena Rosa of San Salvador, and great-granddaughter Amelia Wek of Katy, Texas.

Memorial donations may be sent to Piney Flats United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity, Kairos Prison Ministry, or any charity that helps people.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Piney Flats United Methodist Church from 12:00pm until 2:00pm. A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm with Dr. Paul Humphrey officiating. A graveside service will follow in Shell Cemetery located behind the church with Chaplain Eric Perry officiating.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com.

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E. Oakland Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601, is honored to serve the family of John Starnes. (423) 282-1521