John Alexander Starks

John Alexander Starks, Sr. passed away peacefully after a long, abundant life on Monday, February 15, 2021. He was 90 years old. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 1, 1930 to James P. Starks and Aimee Marie Faurie Starks, John was raised in Biloxi, Mississippi alongside his nine siblings. Following his graduation from Notre Dame High School in Biloxi and a short stent in Indiana where he met and married his wife, John joined the family business. As a Journeyman Carpenter at Starks Contracting Company, Inc., John mastered his craft and served as a Construction Supervisor until his retirement at age 75. John Starks, Sr. exemplified integrity and dedication to his wife and eight children as he helped grow Starks Contracting into a fifth generation, family-run business. As a lifelong Biloxi resident, John Starks, Sr. shared his trade and lent his hands to building many landmark buildings across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. His work lives on and will be remembered in places such as the Ohr O’Keefe Museum, the Donald Snyder Community Center, and the historic Gulf National Life Insurance Building, a long-time Biloxi landmark. While the legacy of local landmarks is tangible, the most important legacy John left was love. Whether fishing coastal waters or working a job, John was devoted to his family. He was a giant among men, with a strong yet gentle disposition. A steadfast provider with an incredible work ethic, John’s passion for life ran deep, and his greatest passion was his family. He will be remembered for imparting the values of honesty and hard work, and even a little mischief, on his surviving children, John A. Starks, Jr., Joanna Starks Pinto, Eugene A. Starks, Kimberly Gale Ann Starks Dudenbostel, James G. Starks, Rose Starks Isaily, Wallace Steve Starks, Elizabeth Starks Davis, 24 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. From completing a half marathon at age 81 to riding roller coasters, cheering for the Saints and reveling in the joy of the births of grand and great-grandchildren, John Starks, Sr. lived a full and fruitful life. He was preceded in death by his father, James P. Starks, Sr. and mother, Aimee Marie Faurie Starks, and by his spouse, Joanna Taylor Starks, and also by his siblings, Aimee Starks Blaise, James P. Starks, Jr., Margaret Starks Reinhart, Sister Mary Fatima Starks and Sister Mary Aimee Starks. In addition to his surviving children and grandchildren, John leaves behind four siblings, Weldon P. Starks Sr., Robert A. Starks, Mary Elizabeth Starks Nappo, and Leonard J. Starks, Sr., all of whom are faithful and have peace knowing their father, grandfather, brother and friend was welcomed into heaven with open arms. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Notre Dame Hospice for all the love and care they provided, especially Ms. Tammy Johnson, who generously gave everyone that loved John Starks, Sr. immense peace of mind as he made his final journey Home. In lieu of flowers, please honor John Starks, Sr.’s life of good and faithful service to the Lord with a memorial donation to St. Vincent De Paul, care of Nativity BVM Cathedral located at 870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi, 39530. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Nativity BVM Catholic Church in Biloxi on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Friends are invited to visit 12:00-2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Biloxi City Cemetery. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue in Biloxi, is honored to serve the Starks family.