James Godfrey Starr
January 22nd, 1933 - July 4th, 2003
I had a dream of my Baba James before Christmas. We met up on a ferry between Nanaimo and Vancouver. I was really glad to see him - he tried to get on the same ferry as me since my brother told him that I was going to be on that one. First thing he asked was "how you doing for money?" I lied and told him that I was doing alright, getting by. He pulled out a huge wad of money and handed it to me. I told him it was too much and that I was getting by. With the money in his hand, he started counting off accomplishments that I had achieved with every bill - this is for Graduation, this is for...etc etc. Tears welled up in my eyes but I managed to tell him that I couldn't be named after a better person. Even in my dream I knew he was gone already and I woke up crying. Glad I got to tell him what I was able to tell him. I love and miss you Baba.
A picture of Baba and Babe taken early last year. From what I know, he was really glad that he could spend time with his great-grandchildren - Kobie, Mercedes, Joanne, Crystal and others. I didn't have the opportunity to attend his funeral for various reasons - one of them being I didn't want to say goodbye to him in person. I wrote this poem for him and was read at his memorial service by my Uncle Wayne Starr.
                                          Shining Starr

again...again we come together through the rain and the pain
coming together to pay our respects to my Baba James
a great legacy remains because of all the things you done
and will continue through stories told by your daughters and sons
reminiscing, smiles come easy when I look back
of all of us cruising around in your big, black Cadillac
lots of laughs would happen whenever we would see
a concert put on by your guitar playing dog named Laddy
you always stressed that nothing was ever as bad as it seems
and I hope to hear that again when I see you in my dreams
laughter, stories and pictures of you we will always hold dear
and since you couldn't bring any, we'll have a few rounds for you down here
you will never be forgotten, not now, not ever
since the echo's of your unspoken love will ring in our hearts forever
the silence we are dealing with now will be hard every now and then
but you will live on through your kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
I'll remember Paula and Rox chanting your name with you thinking,
"Yep, they still love me"
and we are glad that you got to meet Mercedes and Kobie
we hope that you were met at the Gates by Auntie Joanne
along with a meal and a warm embrace from the waiting arms of Gran
it's sad that our family has to endure more bad weather
sad but it's good to know that you and Gran are back together
we don't know how to deal with your absence but we will figure out how
because this is not a final goodbye - just a farewell for now

- Howard Smith
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1