Truman Starr of Elkhart, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2026, at the age of 83. He was born July 12, 1943, and lived a life devoted to his family, his community, his work, and the many friends he made along the way.
Truman was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Etta Raines Starr and Henry Lee Starr; his brother, James Riley Starr; sister in laws Becky Starr and Shirley Starr, his father-in-law, C.J. Moran; and his mother-in-law, Allene Ellisor Moran.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years Glenda Starr; his son, Curtis Starr; his daughter, Lisa Chapin and husband Greg; grandchildren Chantel Luce and husband Andy, Lacey Lightfoot and husband Ryan, Kyndal Chapin, and Jeb Chapin; seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brother Don Starr, brother-in-law, Mike Moran and wife Nancy; nephews Leslie Starr and wife Bonnie, Brent Starr and wife Crystal, Jay Moran and wife Stephanie, and Blake Moran and wife Lamanda; and a beloved great-niece, Kaitlyn Starr, along with numerous extended family members.
Truman was a natural athlete who excelled in sports throughout his life. He traveled across the state playing slow-pitch softball nearly every weekend for many years and loved being part of the game. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman, and some of his fondest memories were made outdoors with family and friends.
He made many fishing trips to the lake with his Uncle Duane and Aunt Rheba Collier. There were also countless river trips with Charles, Eddie, and Lance Bridges, setting out bait in those secret fishing holes and returning to see a limb bouncing in the water with an old yellow cat on the line.
Truman especially enjoyed crappie fishing at Richland-Chambers with Guinn, Curtis, and Glenda. Every deer season, he headed west to the Spade Ranch with his family, where he hunted deer, turkey, and quail. In his later years, he continued to enjoy hunting closer to home, spending time down at the river.
For the past 15 years Truman and Glenda loved traveling to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series, where they held season tickets.
Truman was a hard worker and a dedicated public servant. He worked for the Texas Department of Highways for 10 years, ran cattle, and did ranch work. In 1981, he was elected Anderson County Commissioner, a position he proudly held for 12 years.
For the last 28 years of his working life, Truman worked with The Railroad Yard out of Stillwater, Oklahoma, selling everything from tank cars to I-beams. He took tremendous pride in his work and made countless friendships through his travels to conferences across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. His work was more than a career to him—it was a source of purpose, pride, and lifelong friendships.
Truman also devoted many years to public service and leadership. He served 10 years on the Board of Directors of the East Texas Council of Governments and was a director of the East Texas Housing Finance Corporation. He served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the North and East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association. He also served as Legislative Chairman for the North and East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association during the 72nd Legislative Session, on the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Commission, on the Executive Board of the Texas Association of Counties, and on the Executive Committee of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas.
Throughout his life, Truman never seemed to meet a stranger. He built relationships everywhere he went and leaves behind a legacy of hard work, service, laughter, friendship, and devotion to his family. His stories, his love of the outdoors, his competitive spirit, and his unmistakable personality will live on in all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Those honored to serve as Pallbearers will be Curtis Starr, Leslie Starr, Greg Chapin, Jeb Chapin, Andy Luce, Gary Gunnels, Lance Bridges and Eddie Bridges
Honorary Pallbearers Jim Rowe, Haskell Carnes, Bernie Dodd, Lonnie Bienvenu, Guinn Sowell, Donald Crawford, Larry Bridges, Delmery Emory, Curtis Neyland, Dobby Schmidt, Ryan Lightfoot, Matthew Kerr, Billy Kelly, Mack Rose, Vance Moss, The Railroad Yard family.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Bailey and Foster Funeral Home with Bro. Andy Luce and Rev. David Franklin officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Starr Cemetery in Elkhart, Texas.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Heart to Heart Hospice and the wonderful staff at TruCare Nursing Facility for the compassionate care and kindness they provided to Truman and his family.