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Show Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 1996 5s By Barbara Pyles Give them a little room please these folks want to see America. Rev. Jim Starkey, a retired United Methodist minister, and his wifeNedra, a retired schoolteacher have been fulltime RVers since 1988. Curat the Kaibab. rently camp-host- s National Forest Park at Jacob Lake, they have visited all but three states in America. One day while relaxing in their Fifth wheel, the word volunteers entered the conversation. So, they investigated the likelihood ofbeingcamp hosts in one of Alaskas 130 state parks. They were pleased when the answer was yes. It wasnt long before Jim and Nedra shared their skills and well-equipp- ed talents as volunteers in the United Methodist Economic Ministry in Kingfield, Maine. The following summer the two pulled their home on wheels to Buckhom Mountain near Ft. Collins, Colorado. He served as chaplin for a United Methodist Camp. While in Ohio, they heard about HurricaneOpalsfury in the heart of Dixie. Always in pursuit of the next volunteer project, they hitched up their home and drove to Alabama to help towns scarred by Opals wrath. So it goes, as they travel, Jim and Nedra became a part of an army of volunteers who often go unnoticed. What makes the Starkeys volunteer? Its the way they are. When the two arent volunteering, they are visiting National Parks and Monuments. Its getting hard to Find a place that we havent been close to, says Nedra. If any words can summarize the life of Rev Jim Starkey, and Nedra perhaps they are the fol- lowing: Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. The almost seventy-tw- o year-ol- d man begun his trail through life in Syracuse, Kansas. His dad was a schoolteacher and his mother a housewife. His parents also farmed. Starkey, a man with a sense of humor, grew up in the days of the Black Blizzards. He recalls dust times when storms plunged sunny days into midnight. I got dry behind the ears early, he says. During World War II, Starkey turned down a farm deferment and joined the Navy. The future minister was in the battle of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. During the battle of Iwo Jima, I was a hospital crewman. For seventy-tw- o hours straight, I didnt get any sleep. The injured from the is ng land kept coming in, wounded, dirty and shot up. It was during the war that Starkey First felt a call to the ministry, and the summons was loud and clear. In 1946 he enrolled at Southwestern College in WinField, Kansas where he met Nedra. He decided she was pretty neat. frail The owner of Sunflower offered to donate an acre of land if Starkey would build a church. Building the church took ten years and was one of the biggest challenges of his life. I got frustrated at times, but I decided that I wasnt going to quit. Long ago, Starkey had dropped cant do from his vocabulary. Jim and Nedra moved to the town of Sunflower. It would have been easier to live someplace else, but thats not their style. He recalls, We didnt like cockroaches, but there were millions of them. We sprayed at night and the next morning swept them out. It was kind of gross, but thats the way it was. All the ministers in the conference thought I was crazy. But that was our mission and we did it. The clergyman and his wife became instruments in Gods hands. Rather than dwell on the towns lack of luxuries, they went to work. With a concrete belief in God and extraordinary powers of Nedra grew up on a farm in Geuda Springs, Kansas, setting her sights on mission work, and marrying a minister. Nedra smiled. I found out quickly that Jim wanted to be a minister. I roomed with his sister. That gave The Rev. Jim and Nedra Starkey really enjoy being campground hosts at me an edge. When wedding bells Jacob Lake, where they meet a lot of very interesting people. The couple have on December the been in every state in the country, except three. Photo by Barbara Pyles. 21, 1947, rang started lifes trail couple forging together. people have forgotten, but Jim Leavenworth, he was appointed While Starkey attended BosStarkey remembers it. When I Chaplain at the center. ton University School of Theoldie my memorial service is going Despite his love for the ministo be held at that church. ogy for his seminary education, try and hers for teaching, the she worked on her masters deHis path led him to Trinity day came for Jim and Nedra to United Methodist Church in retire. God had walked down gree in religious education. (BeLeaven worth, Kansas. 1 was there the path of life with them and he sides raisingthree boys and helpfor 10 years. I served my time. continues to do so. The couple is ing her husband, she would did 25 serve teachmore more than than still a works in progress. spend Starkey years He his started the time. a Jim and Nedra say they enjoy school). started visiting ing persuasion, they liMedical and V dental doctors A. From his seminary days, clinic, Center, clinic, nearby beingmobile, but volunteer work Starkey recalls the following brary and activities for the young many patients begin attending is the main reason they go from story: While I was at the uni- people. The couple spent years his Sunday School class. He here to there. We feel a great deal of pride versity, there was a man from doing good for those less fortu- planned weekly activities, veterans to become in being able to work with other the south who was a genius... I nate. Starkey supervised the was in several classes with him. building of a parsonage next to part of a Christian fellowship. people in the service of God, I often saw him in the library the Church, but he never dedi- He watched as men emerged from says Nedra. Reporter: It sounds as if you studying. He wasnt very friendly cated it or lived there. God had their shells and began to grow. with anyone. Im not sure that I work for him elsewhere. Obviously something was go- have had an interesting life. Jim: Its not over yet. I think ever said a word to him. But I Accordingto Starkey, the town ing on here that was bigger than knew he was Martin Luther King was sold and turned into a retire- Starkey realized. The Chief of Ill last 10 more years. What do Jr. He was there to get his PHD. ment center. Today, the church Chaplains asked him to be a you think, Nedra? Can I still Starkey continued. One day, is known as the United Method- chaplain at the V.A. Medical drive this thing at age 81? Nedra: Oh yes, we meet them I was sitting with my head down ist Church Clearwater City, he Center. So, in addition to taking of flock of in his needs care the is on church a that It the road up to 85. All of a sudden notes. the many says. taking voice changed. I looked up. Right in the center of the classroom, Martin Luther King was lecturing to the professor. Well, you have a right to your opinion, said Dr. De Wolf.. .It didnt seem to faze the professor at all. His formal education over, Starkey was ordained a deacon in Boston and an elder in Syra8:30 am - 5 pm Kanab Dr. Pandya M, T, Th, F exYork. New cuse, Starkey 644-266- 5 plored the possibility of being a missionary. God had other plans. 9 am - noon Kanab Dr. Roberts M, T, W, Th, F After serving as pastor to four H n 644-261- 2 churches, the bishop moved him 2 pm - 5 pm to De Soto, Kansas. About three miles from De Soto was a village 8 am - 5 pm Fredonia M, T (AZ time) Dr. Mortenson called Sunflower. There were no " " 643-7508 am - 6 pm W 0 members from Sunflower in his ii " De Soto church. Surly some 8 am - 12 noon p MethodSunflower citizens are ist, he thought. It was at that 644-261- 2 1st Ibesday each month Dr. Anderson-Orthope- dic moment that his path took an 644-5811 1st Thursday each month Dr. Olson-Podia- tric unexpected turn. 644-261on 2 He started hammering Nose & Throat 2nd Tuesday each month Dr. Peterson-Ea- r, saw he doors and what surprised 2nd & 4th Wed each month 644-581- 1 Dr. Phillips-Radiolo- gist him. A wave of sadness washed 644-2612 Dr. Wollheim-Gener- al Every Thursday Surgery over Starkey as he realized that the people of Sunflower didnt The Kane County Hospital's regular governing board meetings are held the first and third have much of anything. So, Rev. the to out reached Jim Starkey Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Kane County Hospital's Conference Room. 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